New York, NY – As former President Donald Trump and his legal team begin their defense against allegations of fraud, a pivotal moment is set for Monday as they call upon Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son and a defendant in the case, as their first witness. The trial, now in its seventh week, is centered on claims that Trump, his adult sons, and his business engaged in fraudulent activities to benefit themselves financially.
Trump Jr., previously called by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, took the stand earlier this month, vehemently denying any involvement in the preparation of his father’s financial statements. Under oath, he asserted that he consulted with lawyers and accountants before certifying the accuracy of these statements to banks that provided millions of dollars in loans to the Trump family.
The defense’s argument hinges on the assertion that the financial statements were not misleading, emphasizing that different appraisers may arrive at distinct property values. They maintain that there was no intention to defraud banks or insurers, highlighting the Trump family’s reliance on accountants and downplaying any discrepancies in property valuations.
Trump’s legal team, anticipating the testimonies of Eric Trump and the former president himself, aims to challenge the state’s witnesses and bolster their defense against the allegations. The defense argues that the financial statements were not crucial to lenders’ decisions to provide loans or insurers’ choices to underwrite policies. Moreover, they claim that no banks reported losses or alleged fraud or misinformation based on the financial statements.
When Donald Trump Jr. takes the stand, he will face questioning from the Trump family’s attorneys, allowing for more detailed and explanatory responses than in his previous testimony. This also opens him up to cross-examination by the state’s lawyers.
Donald Trump, in his own testimony, revealed plans to call bankers to testify about the underwriting processes used in decision-making. The defense team also intends to summon Trump Organization executives and various expert witnesses to speak on valuations and accounting practices.
Despite previous rulings against the Trumps, including one in September by Judge Arthur Engoron, who found them engaged in “persistent and repeated fraud,” the defense remains steadfast. The state is pursuing six additional claims, seeking to collect ill-gotten gains and ban the Trumps from conducting business in New York.
Over the course of six weeks, the state’s attorneys presented extensive evidence and called 25 witnesses, including Trump family members and associates. The defense, now in progress, aims to challenge these claims and present its case by December 15.
