Testifying on the first day of testimony at Allen Stanford's trial in Houston, Michelle Chambliess, who said she was hired by Mr Stanford in 1987, said that Mr Stanford told her the deposits at Guardian International Bank Ltd, the precursor to Stanford International Bank Ltd, were insured by British Insurance Fund Ltd. The prosecution claims that this was a shell company set up by Mr Stanford, rather than a real insurer. A second witness, graphic designer Leonel Mejia, testified that chief financial officer James Davis asked him to alter an expired insurance policy. When he refused, the prosecution claims, Mr Stanford decided to establish the shell company. Ms Chambliess also testified that in 2002, shortly before she was fired for missing sales targets, Mr Stanford told her and a small group of colleagues to "do whatever you need to do" to get more clients. "I don't care how you do it. Just don't tell me. I don't want to know", Ms Chambliess claimed she was told by Mr Stanford. Prosecutors allege that Mr Stanford, who is accused of wire fraud, mail fraud and obstruction of an SEC investigation, was engaged in a $7bn Ponzi scheme. Mr Stanford has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers claim that he left details to others and was unaware of any fraud that might have been taking place.