A recent Newsweek report on December 19, 2023, Judge Arthur Engoron dealt a harsh blow to Trump’s defense in the civil fraud trial. New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump of inflating property values in financial statements.
Judge Engoron, overseeing the case, rejected Trump’s plea for exoneration for the fifth time on Monday. The judge had previously ruled that Trump committed fraud in his financial statements.
Expected to decide on the punishment in late January or early February, Engoron could impose severe consequences. Trump might face a ban on New York business, loss of property control, or a hefty fine, potentially totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Despite being the GOP presidential primary frontrunner, Trump denies any wrongdoing, calling the case a politically motivated “witch hunt” aimed at thwarting his 2024 election bid.
Engoron’s repeated dismissals of Trump’s appeals suggest the court isn’t swayed by these claims. The judge highlighted “fatal flaws” in Trump’s case, including testimony from expert witness Eli Bartov, a New York University professor.
Bartov, defending Trump, claimed no evidence whatsoever of financial falsification by Trump or his family. However, Engoron deemed Bartov’s credibility lost, criticizing Trump’s legal team for assuming the court would accept his testimony.
Trump, unhappy with Engoron’s judgment, accused the judge of insulting Bartov’s character on Truth Social, his social media platform. Engoron rejected Trump’s defense that asset values are based on what people are willing to pay, stating, A lie is still a lie.
The judge emphasized misstatements and potential fraud in valuing properties, indicating the uphill battle Trump faces. The case’s outcome could significantly impact Trump’s political future and the broader American political landscape. As legal proceedings unfold, all eyes remain on the courtroom.
