Jodie Foster's father on trial

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Jodie Foster's 89-year-old father, Lucius Fisher Foster, says his trial for an alleged housing scam is going "lousy" but he remains hopeful.

The real-estate broker is facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly bilking more than two dozen investors out of $130,000 in Los Angeles. He has been charged with 25 counts of grand theft and 10 counts of contracting without a license.

Foster, who divorced the actress' mother before Jodie was born, told TV's "Inside Edition" he did not steal investors' money and blamed the bad economy for the charges against him.

"It's going lousy in there, but I'll keep trying… I've never been to jail," he said. "This is my first time. What's the food like in there?"

Asked how his Oscar-winning daughter is dealing with the charges against him, he replied: "Jodie is a very wonderful person. She'll handle it."

He also admitted he hasn't seen the actress in awhile.

"It's been a long time. My family and I are very divided right now," he told "Inside Edition."