OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal trial has begun for an Omaha businessman accused of paying someone to set fire to his manufacturing plant near Fort Calhoun in eastern Nebraska.

Prosecutors say 52-year-old Thomas Schropp was in financial trouble and hoped to gain around $4 million in insurance proceeds for the destruction of his PK Manufacturing plant. It burned down on Nov. 20, 2008. The trial began Tuesday.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Russ Mayer says Schropp promised Billy Richards $20,000 if he’d torch the plant. Richards has since pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of a building by fire. He’s expected to testify against Schropp.

Defense attorney Alan Stoler says the government can’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Schropp was involved with the plant fire.