A Memphis, Tennessee, defense attorney drew fire for telling a jury during a Thursday rape trial that women are good at lying because they’re the weaker sex.

“People can be very good at lying,” Steve Farese said during closing arguments, according to USA Today. “Women can be especially good at it because they’re the weaker sex and we… and we want to protect them and not have anybody take advantage of them, at least I do.”

Farese is believed to have followed up the “weaker sex” comments with “that’s what the book says.”

The defense lawyer was representing prominent businessman Mark Giannini, who faced aggravated rape charges stemming from a 2014 incident at his home.

A woman accused the businessman of raping her after she came to his home for a job interview. She testified that the last thing she remembered was Giannini choking her before waking up in a hospital.

Farese argued that the sex between his client and the woman was consensual. The defense also claimed the case was about winning a $6 million civil lawsuit against Giannini.

“Her explanation was seeking justice, my explanation is when she’s up here on the stand crying on cue that she was crying for dollars,” Farese said.

WHBQ reported that Giannini was found not guilty on all charges on Friday.

“It was so offensive to hear ancient language saying all women lie, connive and can’t be trusted,” Deborah Clubb, executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council, told NBC News.

“For Farese to stand there and put the blame on her and say all women are liars is beyond pale.”

Farese pushed back against the criticism, telling The Commercial Appeal in a phone interviewon Thursday that his job “is not to care if anybody gets offended.”

“Smart people will see it for what it is.”