Indian diamond heir forced to give $7 BILLION to his brothers in America's most expensive sibling squat arrives at court with a face like thunder as judge weighs whether they should get even MORE money

A real-estate tycoon and heir to an Indian diamond fortune tried to downplay his vast property empire so he doesn't have to pay his brothers more than the $7billion a jury demanded he fork over. 

A frustrated Haresh Jogani took the stand at a Los Angeles courthouse Monday and said he 'didn't know exactly' how much his various real estate investments and assets were worth.

'Like I said before, zero... minus,' Jogani said when asked by his attorney about the value of one of his companies, JK Properties.

A jury last week ruled Jogani should pay his four brothers- Shashikant, Rajesh, Chetan and Shailesh- $7 billion for not living up to an oral agreement that would divide the family's extensive real estate portfolio among the siblings. 

The family is back in court to determine punitive damages in the case that could see Jogani handing even more money over to his siblings. 

Haresh Jogani testified in an Los Angeles court on Monday that the value of one of his real estate company was 'zero.' He was testifying after a jury ordered he pay $7billion to his brothers in a long-standing lawsuit

The amount he might have to pay could increase significantly after the jurors decide on punitive damages this week

The brothers, who inherited a lucrative diamond fortune from their father- have an extensive real estate portfolio that includes more than 170 apartment buildings and 17,000 units in the San Fernando Valley, as well as properties in Texas and Nevada.

Last week, the jury found Haresh should pay $7 billion to his brothers after one filed a lawsuit 20 years ago. Now, jurors must decide how much in punitive damages they should be awarded.

Judge Susan Bryant-Deason told jurors on Monday they have to decide whether Haresh caused  'physical harm and disregarded the health of others,' including the 'weak and vulnerable.' 

She also told jurors they could consider 'how reprehensible' was Haresh's conduct to determine the dollar amount for punitive damages.

One of the victimized brothers- Shashikant- briefly testified on Monday and said the companies that held the family's real estate interests made about $180 million in 2019 alone.

The five Jogani brothers- who range from 50 to 70 years old- have bee embroiled in the nasty lawsuit as far back as 2003 when Shashikant Jorgani sued brother Haresh for not living up to their oral agreement.

Haresh Jogani claimed he was the sole shareholder of the real estate companies, but the other four brothers claimed they held a nominal title on the properties as well.

However, a contract was never signed between the brothers.

The brothers, who inherited a lucrative diamond fortune from their father- have an extensive real estate portfolio that includes more than 170 apartment buildings and 17,000 units in the San Fernando Valley, as well as properties in Texas and Nevada

Haresh and his attorneys have been ordered not to conduct any major transactions related to his properties and assets such as refinancing any properties in the vast portfolio 

A jury last week ruled that Haresh must pay Rajesh and Chetan $750 million in damages plus real estate interests valued at more than $1 billion. Shashikant, who initially sued Haresh, was awarded $4.75 billion by jurors.

William Akerman, a forensic accountant, testified on Monday he was unable to assess just how much Haresh made in his real estate companies, assets, investments and trusts because Haresh did not provide 32 of his tax returns.

He said Haresh also has not turned over documents for his various bank accounts, including accounts in the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

'There was an indication that Haresh got $50 million in 2021 and $100 million in 2022, but how was that accounted for we don't know,' Akerman said. 'It might be right on front of me, but I haven't been provided documentation to find the trail.'

The five Jogani brothers- who range from 50 to 70 years old- have bee embroiled in the nasty lawsuit as far back as 2003 when Shashikant Jorgani sued brother Haresh for not living up to their oral agreement. Pictured: Chetan Jordani leaves a California courthouse on Monday

A jury last week ruled that Haresh must pay Rajesh (pictured) and Chetan $750 million in damages plus real estate interests valued at more than $1 billion. Shashikant, who initially sued Haresh, was awarded $4.75 billion by jurors

Haresh Jogani claimed he was the sole shareholder of the real estate companies, but the other four brothers claimed they held a nominal title on the properties as well

Akerman said he believed Haresh was 'distributing' his cash flow among his various businesses and possibly in foreign bank accounts- despite Haresh claiming his real-estate portfolio was worth 'negative.'

'Haresh was taking ad distributing it to himself over time,' the forensic accountant testified. 'Logic tells me when you have a negative retained balance on everything you've earned over 22 years, it was distributed elsewhere.' 

The judge reminded Haresh and his attorneys that he has been ordered not to conduct any major transactions related to his properties and assets such as refinancing any of the more than 170 properties he owns in California.

'I'm assuming no money is coming out of any bank accounts other than for regular expenses,' the judge told Haresh and his attorneys. 

Haresh is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday.