He may not risk prison with this civil lawsuit, but Donald Trump is being attacked for what he cares about most: his value and his brand. The former president was put on trial along with two of his sons for overvaluing their real estate assets by billions of dollars in the 2010s. On Monday, he attacked a “sham” of the judiciary and attacked African-American prosecutor Letitia James, whom he said was “racist” and “racist.” corrupt” and a “rogue” judge. But Donald Trump could suffer major losses in this civil trial, which is expected to last several weeks.
What is Donald Trump risking?
Unlike the four criminal trials that await him next year, Donald Trump will not risk prison time. The former US president is facing a civil trial in a case that could result in financial penalties of up to $250 million and the loss of control of his business empire in New York state.
What is he accused of?
Letitia James accuses the real estate mogul and his sons of years of “repeated fraud” and “fraud.” Mainly by vastly inflating their assets to obtain cheaper loans from banks and better insurance terms, saving over $100 million. Specifically, the Trump Tower retail triplex would have tripled in square footage, while the 40 Wall Street building would have been overstated by $200 million to $300 million in financial filings.
What is Donald Trump’s defense?
This trial, one of the first in a long series, was a “sham” and “election interference” to prevent him from returning to the White House in 2024, he further accused, also treating the judge presiding over the debates, Arthur Engoron, a gangster”. In the courtroom, the 77-year-old former president sat his first day with his face closed, speaking only to his lawyers. Chris Kise defended a “president who built one of the most successful real estate empires in the world” and denied the slightest Accounting irregularity. Her colleague Alina Habba insisted that her powerful client had not committed “fraud” but was running “real estate.” “It’s not about a conspiracy, it’s about doing business,” she pleaded
Why is the process already underway?
The case took on significant significance last week when Judge Engoron ruled in a preliminary injunction that “repeated fraud” had been established, thereby upholding part of the prosecutor’s case. As a result, the judge ordered the revocation of the business licenses in New York State of Donald Trump and his sons, directors of the Trump Organization, as well as the seizure of the companies affected by the complaint, which were to be transferred to the bankruptcy trustees. Donald Trump, who made his fortune in real estate and casinos in the 1980s, has appealed, but if the decision were implemented he would lose control of several of his group’s flagship properties, such as Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
Why is there no jury?
On Monday, Donald Trump denounced a trial that takes place without a jury and Judge Engoron is responsible for determining the facts. But the fault lies with his lawyers, who did not check the necessary box to request a jury trial without knowing whether this was an oversight or a strategy.
Does Donald Trump have to attend the hearing?
No, his presence is not required in a civil trial, but he chose to be present on Monday. His teams asked his supporters online for donations. However, it is unlikely that Donald Trump will be there in the coming weeks.
Will he testify?
Dozens of witnesses are expected to speak, the first of whom was a former employee of Mazars, an accounting firm that decided in 2021 to no longer work for the Trump Organization. Also on the witness list are Donald Trump himself and three of his children, Eric, Donald Jr. and Ivanka, who were originally the subject of the lawsuit but were ultimately not prosecuted. On Monday, one of his lawyers assured that Donald Trump would testify, but at this point we don’t know if this is a bluff. His former lawyer Michael Cohen could be called to the witness stand. In a video released by prosecutors, he claimed that Donald Trump had significantly increased his value because he wanted to “make up places” in the Forbes ranking of billionaires.