Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of Suffolk Conservative Party chairman Ed Walsh.

Walsh is accused of padding his time sheets while working at the sheriff's department. He has been charged with theft of funds and wire fraud stemming from his job as a lieutenant.

The prosecution told the jury on Wednesday that Walsh is a thief. Prosecutors claim he stole $200,000 from Suffolk taxpayers by falsifying his county time sheets and collecting a salary on hours they claim he never worked.

The assistant U.S. attorney said Walsh "rarely worked a full day, never worked a full week "and instead spent his hours "golfing, gambling, attending political functions."

Walsh's attorney conceded that he did things outside of the office, but said it was part of his job title as liaison to outside agencies.

During the defense team's opening argument, Walsh's attorney told the jury that Walsh worked and was paid for every hour that he worked. He also said Walsh was the "go-to guy" for the sheriff.

Walsh's defense attorneys said Walsh never had set hours and that the sheriff's department knew that and didn't have a problem with it until Walsh and Sheriff Vincent DeMarco had a personal falling out.

DeMarco has told News 12 that Walsh's job did require him to be in the correctional facility in Riverhead, and that what Walsh has allegedly done is a "violation of the public trust by a sworn officer."