Former President Donald Trump faces a civil fraud trial in New York, where New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a $250 million lawsuit accusing Trump and others at the Trump Organization of widespread fraud.
The defendants include Trump, his three children, several executives, and the Trump Organization itself. The allegations encompass fraud, falsification of business records, issuing false financial statements, and conspiracy.
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James contends that Trump overstated his wealth and property values to secure loans, seeking $250 million and business restrictions. The trial, presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron, is a bench trial without a jury, and could last until December.
Trump intends to attend the initial phase, expressing his intent to fight for his reputation. Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump are on the preliminary witness list, but their testimony isn’t guaranteed. New York law typically doesn’t allow courtroom cameras, but media outlets seek coverage of opening statements.
Recently, Judge Engoron ruled that Trump significantly overvalued properties and misrepresented his net worth. He ordered the dissolution of certain Trump companies and nullified Trump Organization business certificates.
Trump has criticized the judge and James, accusing them of political motivations. Letitia James, a Democrat, has been New York attorney general since 2019 and initiated the investigation after Michael Cohen’s testimony. She emphasized the importance of equal application of the law, regardless of wealth or power.
Trump’s legal team contends that alleged overvaluations reflect Trump’s business acumen, a position rejected by Judge Engoron, who denounced the defendants’ arguments as disconnected from reality.
