Updated: February 7, 2013 9:17 AM | By The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com

Author Cornwell takes stand at negligence trial

Author Patricia Cornwell leaves federal court in Boston, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, after she took the stand in her lawsuit against her former financial management company. Cornwell claims that the firm and a former executive cost her millions of dollars in losses or unaccounted revenue during their four-year relationship. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

BOSTON - Crime writer Patricia Cornwell has taken the witness stand to testify in her lawsuit against her former financial management company.

Cornwell was on the stand Thursday morning in U.S. District Court in Boston.

The author best known for her series of novels featuring medical examiner Kay Scarpetta alleges that Anchin, Block and Anchin was negligent in handling her finances.

Cornwell claims that the firm and a former executive cost her millions of dollars in losses or unaccounted revenue during their four-year relationship.

Lawyers for the firm say there is no money missing from Cornwell's accounts. They say losses were due to the economic downturn and her extravagant spending habits.

Cornwell has lived in Massachusetts for the last six years.