Staff Reports
In a recent news report, it was revealed that the former President Donald Trump, often targeted by those who oppose his policies, faced yet another attack in the courtroom. The judge, Arthur Engoron, initially barred him from making closing arguments in his civil business fraud trial, but then allowed him to speak temporarily. Trump took this opportunity to address the New York attorney general, Letitia James, who brought forward the case seeking a hefty $370 million in damages.
The former President vocalized his frustration, asserting his innocence and slamming the lawsuit as a “fraud on me.” Trump went on to demand compensation for the distress he has been put through. He didn’t hold back, accusing James of pursuing him for her own political gain, even taking a dig at her failed gubernatorial bid. Although Judge Engoron repeatedly urged Trump to refrain from further comments, the former president continued to express his grievances, emphasizing that James should be the one paying for the trouble she caused the Trump Organization.
Trump scolds New York AG in civil fraud trial after judge allows him to speak https://t.co/IHn6UExepJ via @dcexaminer
— MuseX (@Musex58475389) January 11, 2024
The judge’s decision to allow Trump to speak followed a missed deadline by his attorneys to confirm his participation in the closing arguments, a highly unusual request for defendants in such cases. While the judge eventually relented after pleas from Trump’s defense attorney, Chris Kise, he was clearly displeased when Trump refused to abide by his request to solely comment on the facts and the law.
Moreover, James subsequently pushed for the fine to be raised to a staggering $370 million, citing new evidence presented during the 44-day trial. She accused Trump of inflating his net worth to secure favorable deals and loans, prompting the judge to weigh in on the matter before the end of the month.
It’s worth noting that, in a pretrial ruling, Judge Engoron concluded that Trump had engaged in years of fraud by providing false information about the value of his assets and net worth. However, Trump and his legal team vehemently denied any wrongdoing, with Kise addressing the lack of concrete evidence proving that the Trump Organization obtained any “ill-gotten gains.”
Furthermore, Kise emphasized that the impact of the alleged fraud on the loans hadn’t been accurately assessed, suggesting that even with a significantly lower net worth, Trump could still have qualified for the favorable terms. He even made a passionate plea to Judge Engoron, invoking his legacy and urging him not to allow the “attorney general to pursue a victimless fraud” and impose what he termed the “corporate death penalty.”
It’s clear that this trial has become a battleground, with each side fiercely defending its position. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what judgment will be delivered and how it will impact the former President and his renowned business empire.
