Development within Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision has been lauded as a “brilliant” move by former prosecutor Charles Coleman Jr. this Saturday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $370 million lawsuit against former President Trump, his adult sons, and the Trump Organization, alleging a consistent inflation of Trump’s net worth and asset values by billions from 2011 to 2021. The purpose, according to James, was to secure more favorable deals and loans. Originally seeking $250 million in damages, James has been met with denials and accusations of political motivation from Trump and his family, who also claim innocence.
In September 2023, Judge Engoron, overseeing the case, found Trump and the other defendants liable for fraud. The focus has now shifted to determining the severity of punishment, including potential damages and the possibility of a permanent ban on Trump and associates from conducting business in New York—a measure advocated by James.
During Thursday’s closing arguments, a twist occurred when, despite a prior decision prohibiting Trump from speaking, Engoron acceded to a request from the former president’s lawyer, Christopher Kise. Trump, denouncing the trial as a “political witch hunt” and asserting his innocence, was abruptly cut off by Engoron. His comments were relayed by MSNBC correspondent Lisa Rubin via X, formerly Twitter. Trump insisted on being an “innocent man” and claimed political persecution while challenging the severity of the statute.