New York Attorney General Letitia James is pushing for over $370 million in repayment from former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in a high-profile civil fraud trial. In a document filed to the court on Friday, James demanded the financial penalty as she argues that the profits gained by Trump were illicit. The attorney general firmly states, “The conclusion that defendants intended to defraud when preparing and certifying Trump’s SFCs is inescapable.”
This latest development follows Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling in September, which stated that Trump and the Trump Organization had committed fraud while building the real estate empire. They were accused of deceiving banks, insurers, and others by overvaluing assets and exaggerating net worth on paperwork used for deals and financing. James emphasizes, “The myriad deceptive schemes they employed to inflate asset values and conceal facts were so outrageous that they belie innocent explanation.”
While Trump and his family have consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his assets were undervalued, the trial continues to uncover new details. Trump expressed his frustration with the judge’s ruling, stating, “He ruled against me without knowing anything about me. He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me.”
In a recent rejection of Trump’s challenge, the New York State Appellate Division First Department upheld the gag orders imposed by Engoron. The trial, a non-jury civil case, is the result of James’ lawsuit against Trump and his businesses in the state. Engoron responded to Trump’s social media criticism by imposing a partial gag order to prevent any verbal attacks against court staff. He made it clear that personal attacks on his staff would not be tolerated.
As the trial progresses, it remains a highly watched case that carries significant implications for Trump and his reputation. The outcome will be closely followed by both his supporters and critics alike. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing trial.
