The process, which is entering its second day, could be completed quickly or perhaps take until December, according to some observers.
In addition, the former ruler also faces a veto on his ability to do new business in New York, the very place where his real estate empire was born and grew.
Last week, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled on revoking his and his company’s operating license in New York, saying that the former president (2017-2021) routinely deceived by exaggerating the value of his assets to obtain economic benefits.
The trial, involving his eldest children, his companies and Trump Organization executives, began the day before after an appeals court rejected the former president’s attempt to delay the trial, a setback for him.
Yesterday, the testimony was heard from Donald Bender, Trump’s former accountant, who will testify again this Tuesday.
Judge Engoron also rejected attacks by former White House chief Alina Habba’s attorney against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
As he left court, Trump said the opening of the civil case had “taken him out of the campaign” and reiterated that “this is about politics.”
The indictment filed by James in September 2021 alleges that the former president fraudulently inflated his net worth by thousands of millions of dollars with the help of his children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric, as well as senior Trump Organization executives.
It’s hard to believe that during his campaign to reoccupy the Oval Office, Trump was indicted in an impressive string of lawsuits in both state and federal jurisdictions and faces 91 criminal charges in four pending cases.
Prosecutor James warned in a brief statement Monday morning that her message was simple: “No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you think you have, no one is above the law.”
Ahead of the expected trial in Manhattan, the prosecutor made clear that “the law is both powerful and fragile, and today in court we will prove our case.”
According to the tax filing, Trump would have to pay a not inconsiderable penalty of $250 million.
ode/dfm