Trump Fraud Haul: During his civil fraud trial, Donald Trump harshly attacked Letitia James, the NY attorney general, and Judge Arthur Engoron. He didn’t waver or alter his stance. On Monday, claims the ex-president built a financial empire and earned over $100 million through questionable real estate deals.
James is suing Trump and the Trump Organization for $250 million in fines, a lifetime ban on Trump and his sons from holding corporate office in New York, and a five-year ban from the commercial real estate business.
Donald Bender, a Mazars USA partner and Trump’s financial overseer, testified first in court. He was the initial witness for the prosecution.
Trump, known for his theatrics, called the trial a scam, a sham, and James’ political revenge. During a break, he accused the Attorney General of corruption and blamed him for New York’s decline.
Judge Engoron was targeted by Trump for being a partisan Democrat using the court system to meddle in the 2024 presidential election, where Trump is leading the Republican primary.
Trump said, “This judge should be disbarred.” This judge should be removed from his job.
Trump’s campaign fought against alleged schemes of NY Democrats, using the divisive trial to raise funds.
The legal drama revolves around James’ claim that Trump lied about his assets and net worth from 2011 to 2021 for financial gain. He made up a false image of himself.
James claims Trump exaggerated the worth of his assets, like Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago, boosting his wealth by $2.2 billion. Trump’s judicial foes use the term “Mona Lisa Properties,” as James does.
Kevin Wallace, James’s lawyer, said the claims were groundbreaking. He said, “This isn’t business as usual, and this isn’t how smart people talk.” These acts are harmless.
Christopher Kise, a legal expert for Trump, strongly supported the legality of the former president’s financial schemes and praised his real estate investments. Kise says, “No fraud, illegality, default, breach, reliance, ill-gotten gains, or victims.”
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Another lawyer, Alina Habba, compared Trump’s assets to the Mona Lisa, suggesting their high value if sold.
Trump is critical in this courtroom drama. When he entered the courtroom, he called the trial the “greatest witch hunt ever.” He wore a dark blue suit, a tie with a bright blue stripe, and an American flag pin.
James, the state’s lawyer, said, “The law is strong and fragile. No matter how much money someone has, they are not above the law.
Judge Arthur Engoron began the trial without summoning the jury. Before the problem, he confidently claimed to be a knowledgeable lawyer who understood theft.
Last week, Engoron accused Trump, his kids, and corporate groups of fraud. The inflated ratings valued Mar-a-Lago at $739 million, instead of its actual worth of $28 million, and Trump Tower at $327 million, four times its value.
Trump was angry, so he swiftly called Arthur Engoron “deranged.”
During the hearing, expected to last until early December, six additional claims will be examined, including forging records, insurance fraud, and conspiracy. The main concern is the severity of the punishments for the defendants.
The courtroom transcript showed Michael Cohen saying the goal was to get Trump the desired amount.
Trump’s lawyer, Kise, disputed valuations as made up and emphasized their accuracy. He said they were meant to be something other than unbreakable rules.
Donald Bender used financial statements from Trump and his companies to create the testimony canvas. During Bender’s testimony, Trump, a prominent figure in the courtroom, spoke with Habba.
Michael Cohen is among over 150 potential witnesses for Trump’s trial. The trial pits experts against each other, highlighting Trump’s legal problems. Trump is the first US president charged with crimes, including hush money payments and election interference. He always claims innocence.
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Where did Trump go to college?
Enrolled at the New York Military Academy at the age of 13, he continued his education at Fordham University in 1964. Later, he transferred to the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in economics in May 1968.