Former President Donald Trump faced another setback as Judge Arthur Engoron delivered a harsh rejection of his fifth attempt to dismiss the $250 million fraud case on December 18, 2023.
During the hearing, Judge Engoron spared no criticism for Trump, his legal team, and financial expert Eli Bartov, a tenured NYU professor. The scathing remarks were documented in an article by Raw Story.
Engoron specifically targeted Bartov, who received nearly $900,000 for testifying that Trump’s financial records were not fraudulently inflated. However, the judge cast doubt on Bartov’s credibility, stating, For a million or so dollars, some experts will say whatever you want them to say.
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Dismissing Trump’s legal team’s argument that the statute of limitations had expired, Engoron emphasized that the case focused on Trump Organization dealings from 2011 to 2021. He rejected the notion that lenders’ satisfaction served as proof against fraudulent activities, stating, That the lenders made millions… does not mean they were not damaged.
The judge’s rejection further complicates Trump’s defense in the fraud case, where allegations center on manipulated financial statements to inflate net worth. Attorney General Letitia James claims Trump used deceptive practices for loans and financial benefits.
As the legal battle intensifies, Judge Engoron’s scathing remarks underscore the challenges Trump faces in convincing the court of his innocence. The trial is set to proceed, promising a contentious legal showdown with significant implications for Trump’s financial reputation.
