NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In a legal saga that continues to capture headlines, a New York appeals court has refused to postpone former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s scheduled civil fraud trial, set for October 2nd.
The decision comes on the heels of Trump‘s accusations that the trial judge had erred in refusing to dismiss most of the case. Here, we delve into the latest developments in this high-stakes legal battle.
Trump’s Attempt to Delay Trial Rejected
A five-judge panel of the Appellate Division, a mid-level appeals court in Manhattan, swiftly rejected Trump’s motion to postpone the trial. Moreover, the panel overturned a September 14th order by Justice David Friedman that had temporarily halted the trial proceedings to consider Trump’s motion. Notably, Justice Friedman was among the judges on the panel that rendered this decision.
Fraudulent Valuations Allegations
The trial stems from a lawsuit filed against Trump in September 2022 by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. James accuses Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organization, and others of engaging in “staggering fraud.”
The crux of the case revolves around allegations that they systematically overvalued Trump’s assets and net worth to secure more favorable terms on loans and insurance. Attorney General James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties, a ban on Trump and his sons from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban on Trump and the Trump Organization.
Trump’s Response and Legal Woes
Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, has consistently characterized the legal actions against him as politically motivated, part of what he terms a “Democratic witch hunt” while he seeks a return to the White House. It is crucial to note that this civil fraud trial is distinct from the four criminal indictments Trump is facing, including allegations related to attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Overstated Valuations and Court Ruling
Justice Arthur Engoron, in his recent ruling, found that Trump and his family business had persistently and fraudulently overvalued their assets and net worth. Engoron’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, underscored that the appeals court ruling in June had minimal impact on the case presented by Attorney General James. He chastised the defendants for operating in a “fantasy world, not the real world,” as they concocted valuations for properties, including Mar-a-Lago in Florida and Trump Tower penthouse in Manhattan. Engoron’s findings suggested that Trump had inflated his fortune by as much as $2.2 billion.
Potential Ramifications and Witness Lists
Engoron’s ruling could have far-reaching consequences, including the possibility of Trump relinquishing control of properties such as Manhattan’s Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses, and his suburban estate in Westchester County, New York.
In a late-night development, both the attorney general’s office and defense lawyers disclosed extensive lists of potential witnesses, numbering well over 100. These lists include Trump, his adult sons, former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, and controller Jeffrey McConney.
Notably, Trump’s onetime personal lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, who has become a key figure against his former boss, is also listed as a potential witness. Furthermore, Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, who was dismissed as a defendant by the appeals court in June, features on the attorney general’s witness list.
As the trial date approaches, the legal battle between Donald Trump and the New York State Attorney General’s office continues to unfold, with each development scrutinized for its potential impact on the former president’s future and political aspirations.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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