stealing more than $500,000 from him.

That was what the Madeiros trial was told yesterday by Davis' ex-wife Rosalie, who complained to Police about the attorney.

She was giving evidence for the prosecution, which alleges Madeiros took the money while running Davis' financial affairs after Davis inherited a North Shore estate.

She admitted Davis had been an alcoholic during their 15 years together, sometimes going on drinking binges lasting weeks.

But she defended her husband's ability to remember events, saying he could be very alert even while drinking.

The jury has heard that Davis inherited the 71 acre Sleepy Hollow estate in 1984, but is now the owner of only a small part and a tenant in what was his family home.

He blames Madeiros, to whom he gave power of attorney in 1986. Mrs. Davis, a Telco phone operator, said she became concerned about Madeiros' handling of her ex-husband's affairs in 1990 when she asked why their daughter Janet's school fees had not been paid as she expected.

"I told Mr. Madeiros I didn't think Boyd's interest was being looked after.

Mr. Madeiros insisted that was none of my concern.

"I said to Boyd I didn't trust his lawyer.'' Earlier, Davis was grilled by Mr. Richard Hector, lawyer for Madeiros. Davis denied Madeiros kept him informed and told him development projects were running short of cash.

He rejected a suggestion that Madeiros helped keep him `dry'' for two periods of about 11 and then eight months, saying Madeiros had offered him drink.

He indicated he was unsure what a bank standing order was, but he denied he would have signed any document Madeiros gave him.

"Mr. Madeiros had a very sweet charm. He's a pretty good talker. He said: `You're going to be rich, I'm going to be rich, everything's going to be all right'.'' Madeiros denies stealing $506,000 and fraudulently disposing of property.