The trial of Sylvia Ash, a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge accused of obstructing a federal investigation into the state-chartered credit union whose board she used to chair, got underway this week in federal court, as prosecutors highlighted the conflicts and ethical issues underpinning her 2019 indictment.

In opening statements Tuesday, the prosecution argued that Ash had helped to cover up a scheme by Kam Wong, the former CEO of Municipal Credit Union, to steal nearly $10 million from the 500,000-member New York City financial institution.