NEW YORK (AP) — Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Sam Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund Alameda Research, testified today that she engaged in fraud alongside the former cryptocurrency mogul. Ellison, who was once romantically involved with Bankman-Fried, is one of three former members of his inner circle who have pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office.

During her testimony, Ellison stated that Alameda Research used several billion dollars from FTX customers for investments and to repay its lenders. Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used stolen funds from FTX customers to pay back Alameda’s lenders, purchase real estate, and donate to U.S. political candidates to gain influence in Washington.

Bankman-Fried, who has pleaded not guilty, maintains that he made mistakes in running FTX but did not intend to steal funds. His defense lawyer, Mark Cohen, urged jurors to question the motivations of the cooperating witnesses and whether they were retrofitting Bankman-Fried’s decisions with a nefarious narrative.

Gary Wang, FTX’s former technology chief, testified last week that Bankman-Fried instructed him to allow Alameda to borrow up to $65 billion from the exchange and run a negative balance, privileges not granted to other customers. Another cooperating witness, former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh, is expected to testify at the trial as well.

Throughout the trial, jurors have been provided with insight into Ellison’s role. Cohen, in his opening statement, claimed that Bankman-Fried advised Ellison to hedge Alameda’s bets against cryptocurrency market fluctuations, but she failed to do so. Prosecutors, on the other hand, contend that Ellison was installed as Alameda’s chief as a “front” by Bankman-Fried, who still exerted control over the company.

The trial has also revealed personal details about the relationship between Bankman-Fried and Ellison. Adam Yedidia, a former FTX software developer who resided with them, testified that Bankman-Fried sought his advice on dating Ellison, to which Yedidia advised against it.

Bankman-Fried has garnered attention through blog posts and interviews since his arrest in December 2022. However, Ellison has mostly kept a low profile since pleading guilty in the same month. In July, a New York Times article revealed private writings from Ellison prior to FTX’s collapse, where she expressed feelings of overwhelm at work and the pain of her breakup with Bankman-Fried. After it was revealed that Bankman-Fried shared these writings with a Times reporter, his bail was revoked, and he was jailed for potential witness tampering.

The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, with further testimony from witnesses and evidence to be presented.