Former President Donald Trump, right, sits in the courtroom at New York Supreme Court, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in New York.
Seth Wenig | AP
The $250 million civil fraud trial that could potentially result in a permanent ban on former President Donald Trump from conducting business in New York began on Monday.
This trial comes a year after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump, his company, his three adult children, and top Trump Organization officials.
James alleged that the defendants deliberately misrepresented the values of real estate properties by billions of dollars in business records to secure better loan and insurance terms, as well as tax benefits.
Despite currently seeking the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, Trump appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court for the trial’s commencement.
Prior to the trial, Trump dismissed the case as a “witch hunt” aimed at undermining his presidential campaign.
“Everything was perfect. There was no crime. The crime is against me,” Trump told reporters in the courtroom hallway.
Last week, James achieved a major victory when Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump and the other defendants were liable for the fraud claims. As a result, Engoron revoked the defendants’ New York business certificates and appointed an independent receiver to oversee their dissolution.
Engoron, rather than a jury, will determine whether the defendants are also liable for the remaining six claims during the trial, which is expected to conclude in late December.
Kevin Wallace, a prosecutor from the attorney general’s office, stated during his opening statement to the judge, “The people have already proven” that Trump’s financial statements from 2011 to 2021 were “false and misleading.”
A box is carried as the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump is set to begin at New York State Supreme Court on October 2, 2023 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
James, also present in the court, stated, “For years, Donald Trump falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and manipulate the system.”
“We won the foundation of our case last week and proved that his alleged net worth has always been based on incredible fraud,” James added. “No matter how wealthy or influential you are, there cannot be two sets of laws in this country. The rule of law must be applied equally to everyone, and it is my responsibility to ensure that it is.”
Ivanka Trump was removed from the case in June after an appeals court determined that the claims against her were time-barred. However, two of Trump’s other children, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who assumed control of the family business after their father’s 2016 presidential election, remain as defendants.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
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