Former US President Donald Trump committed fraud by inflating the value of his real estate and financial assets, a New York judge ruled on Tuesday (26). Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision is a setback for Trump before the trial begins in the case, scheduled for next Monday (2).
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against Trump and his two eldest children, accusing them of submitting “grossly inflated” figures to banks and insurance companies to obtain loans and insurance coverage.
Earlier this month, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said an accounting audit showed that Trump increased his net worth from $1.9 billion to $3.6 billion (about R$9.5 billion or R$18 billion). This meant the former president received loans with lower interest rates and cheaper insurance.
The attorney general wants to impose a fine of $250 million (about R$1.25 billion) and prevent Trump and his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump from operating their family business, the Trump Organization, based in New York lead.
Trump’s lawyers called for the entire proceedings to be dropped. However, with Engoron’s decision, the case will be taken to court and there is a possibility that the former president will be fined. However, the amount of the penalty can be reviewed until the end of the trial.
The case is separate from four criminal charges against Trump, including two over an attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump pleaded not guilty to all four criminal cases.
Soup instead of sandwich? A restaurant in Japan is being recognized for serving customers the wrong food