The dramatic conclusion of the New York civil fraud trial involving former President Donald Trump unfolded on Thursday, as both sides presented their final arguments before Judge Arthur Engoron. The trial, which began on October 2 and spanned until mid-December, accused Trump of engaging in a fraudulent scheme to inflate his net worth, potentially resulting in damages of up to $370 million and a permanent ban from the New York real estate industry.
The state attorney general’s office asserted that Trump manipulated his financial statements between 2011 and 2021, exaggerating his net worth by over a billion dollars to secure more loans and benefits. On the other hand, Trump vehemently maintained his innocence and launched a verbal assault on the judge and the attorney general during an unexpected moment in the proceedings.
In an unusual move, Trump requested to speak for a few minutes during his lawyers’ closing arguments, claiming that he was the most affected person in the case. Despite the judge’s initial denial of this request, Trump spoke without consent, declaring, “We have a situation where I’m an innocent man. They should pay me for what I’ve gone through.”
Trump continued to insist that the case was not about consumer fraud but rather a “fraud on me.” He directed insults at Judge Engoron and Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of personal bias and suggesting that the trial was a form of persecution.
The judge reluctantly allowed Trump to speak for up to five minutes but urged him to “focus on the facts” of the case. Trump, however, ignored this advice and unleashed a tirade, criticizing the court proceedings and attacking the credibility of both the judge and the attorney general.
“This is not consumer fraud. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me,” Trump asserted, further escalating tensions in the courtroom. The judge had to intervene, warning Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kise, to “please control your client.”
After the trial’s conclusion, Attorney General Letitia James addressed reporters, emphasizing that the case was “about the facts and the law” and stating unequivocally that “Mr. Donald Trump violated the law.”
The attorneys from the attorney general’s office, Kevin Wallace and Andrew Amer, presented evidence alleging intentional fraud by Trump and his team. They argued that Trump’s financial statements were “false every year” between 2011 and 2021, with examples illustrating an intent to deceive.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump did not stay for the closing arguments from the attorney general’s office, choosing instead to hold a press conference at his nearby 40 Wall St. property. During the conference, he referred to James as a “political hack” and claimed that the case had been conclusively proven in his favor.
The trial’s outcome now rests in the hands of Judge Engoron, who is expected to deliver his decision by January 31, 2024. The potential consequences for Trump include substantial financial damages and a permanent exclusion from the New York real estate scene where he once held a prominent position.
Sources By Agencies
