Opening arguments are scheduled to get underway Wednesday in the trial of Dan Doyle, founder and director of the Institute for International Sport.

The organization, which Doyle started in 1986, hosted a variety of international sports conferences for young people, including the scholar-athlete games. Housed at the University of Rhode Island, the institute was also the recipient of thousands of dollars of legislative grants.

After state auditors could not account for some$500,000 of the institute’s state grant funding, Doyle was indicted on 18 counts, including embezzlement and forgery.

Doyle maintains his innocence.

Jury selection in the trial began last week. According to the Attorney General’s office, the full trial is expected to last up to four months.