Stormy Daniels accused Michael Avenatti of theft and dishonesty over the proceeds of a book publishing deal as she took the witness stand in her former attorney’s trial on Thursday.

       “I hired another attorney because he stole from me and lied to me,” Ms Daniels said during an opening salvo under questioning from the prosecution.

       Mr Avenatti is on trial in Manhattan for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges over claims he stole nearly $300,000 from a $800,000 advance paid to Ms Daniels for her 2018 book Full Disclosure

       Ms Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, said she was introduced to Mr Avenatti by another attorney as she wanted to inquire about breaking a non-disclosure agreement with former president Donald Trump.

       Ms Daniels has maintained the had sexual tryst with the former president, which he has denied.

       She and Mr Avenatti met at the Waldorf-Astoria in BeverlyHills in February 2018, and signed an attorney-client agreement over lunch the next day.

       Ms Daniels said she paid Mr Avenatti an initial fee of $100 and agreed that he would set up a crowdfunded defence fund to raise funds for their case.

       Ms Daniels said the fund brought in $650,000, and Mr Avenatti maintained control over it.

       Mr Avenatti is expected to cross-examine Ms Daniels after lunch, and has warned during legal discussions earlier on Thursday he expects his questioning to last six hours.