NEW YORK (AP)  -- A famed philanthropist who raised millions of dollars for New York's cultural institutions is going on trial on fraud charges.

Alberto Vilar has been charged with conspiracy to commit securities, mail, wire and investment adviser fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors say Vilar defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. But Vilar say he is innocent and is the victim of a witch hunt by the authorities.

The first phase of jury selection began Monday.

Vilar's wealth soared in the 1990s and was close to a billion dollars. As his prominence rose, so did his benevolence toward one of his greatest loves, the opera.