At his civil fraud trial in New York City on Monday, a defiant former president Donald Trump squared off against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
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James alleges that Trump committed financial crimes for years in order to unfairly benefit himself and “cheat the system”:
Trump also paused to make a comment, describing the AG’s investigation of him as “a witch hunt.”
In addition, Trump discussed the crime rate in New York City and laid the blame at the feet of the attorney general and “corrupt judges.”
The four lawyers standing next to the former president are Clifford Robert, who represents Trump’s sons, Alan Garten, who represents the Trump Organization, and lead personal attorney Christopher Kise.
Although Trump chose to travel, some of his most valuable real estate properties are now in danger. The non-jury trial’s judge, Arthur Engoron, declared last week that Trump had engaged in fraud in his business activities.
Numerous potential witnesses include the former president, his two eldest sons, a Trump Organization official, and the ex-attorney-turned-enemy Michael Cohen.
Democratic candidate James wants to be barred from conducting business in New York and fined $250 million.
If Engoron’s decision from last week is maintained on appeal, he may also have to give over coveted New York properties including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses, and a suburban home, as well as control over some of his enterprises to a court-appointed receiver.
Trump said in his post from Sunday night that Engoron is “unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me.” Six other claims in James’ complaint, including ones for conspiracy, manipulating company or business documents, and insurance fraud, will be decided by Engoron.
James’ complaint charged Trump and his business with making a large variety of false representations in the financial reports he provided to banks. James’ office claimed that Trump overstated his fortune by as much as $3.6 billion in a recent court filing.
