U.S. prosecutors and defenders have made preliminary arguments in the civil fraud trial against Donald Trump and his corporate activities, setting in motion a process that could intensify an already serious legal and political dilemma facing the former president.
A defiant Trump attacked New York’s attorney general and the judge overseeing him in a civil fraud trial that began Monday after a state lawyer accused him of making more than $100 million by lying about his real estate empire.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking a fine of at least $250 million, a permanent ban on Trump and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, from operating businesses in New York, and charges against Trump and The group imposed a five-year commercial real estate ban.
What were the key moments on the first day of the trial? What does it mean for Trump? Check out some key takeaways below:
Trump ramps up hostile rhetoric
Trump turned to familiar themes, attacking the trial and those involved as part of “the continuation of the largest witch hunt” in American history. Trump publicly rebuked Letitia James, the New York attorney general who brought the case against him, criticizing the “shameful trial brought by a corrupt attorney general.” Trump also criticized New York Judge Arthur Ngoren, who is overseeing the trial. Trump denounces civil fraud trial as ‘sham’ (Al Jazeera)
The first witness appears in court
Donald Bender, Trump’s longtime accountant and tax adviser, testified about Trump’s tax practices, such as reporting huge losses on his tax returns every year for nearly a decade. Trump’s lawyers tried to raise a “blanket objection” to Bender’s testimony, but Judge Ngoren objected.
Trial to focus on Trump’s business practices
Key to the case are allegations that Trump and his business, the Trump Organization, deliberately inflated their value to benefit themselves. Trump said he was willing to testify to defend the actions he and his companies had taken. If convicted, Trump could be forced to pay fines and lose his business license.
Questions about Trump’s wealth resurface
Ongoing questions about the true size of Trump’s wealth also resurfaced at the trial. For example, Judge Ngoren previously ruled that Trump greatly inflated the value of his numerous properties. James’ court filing in August said Trump falsely claimed his net worth was $6.1 billion, while his actual net worth was $2.6 billion.
#Key #takeaways #day #Donald #Trumps #civil #fraud #trial
2023-10-03 03:30:17
