The former US president has to stand trial for financial fraud. Trump denies all allegations.
Update from October 2nd, 11 p.m.: At the start of the trial in New York, Trump’s lawyer said that the ex-president had “built one of the most successful real estate empires in the world.” The real estate entrepreneur’s information about his assets was “true and correct.” In addition, banks made their own estimates.
A representative of the Attorney General’s Office, Kevin Wallace, emphasized that the fraud allegation had already been legally confirmed. Trump and the other defendants have in the past overstated the value of the assets by between $812 million and $2.2 billion (between €768 million and €2.1 billion) annually.
Right before the trial began, Attorney General James expressed confidence that she would be successful in court against Donald Trump. “Justice will prevail,” said the lawyer, who belongs to President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party. “My message is simple: No matter how powerful someone is, no matter how much money someone thinks they have, no one is above the law.”
The civil case is particularly concerned with the question of how high the punishment will be against Trump and his sons Donald Trump Junior and Eric Trump. James is seeking a $250 million fine. She also wants the ex-president and his two eldest sons to no longer be allowed to run companies in the state. Trump does not face a prison sentence in the civil case.
Donald Trump insults judges and attorney general
Update from October 2nd, 5:30 p.m.: Former US President Donald Trump sharply attacked the responsible judge and the New York State Attorney General at the start of the civil trial against him over fraud allegations. Judge Arthur Engoron is a “rogue judge,” Trump said outside the courtroom in New York on Monday. Attorney General Letitia James – an African American – is “racist” and a “horror show”.
The trial over allegations that he inflated the value of his real estate was a “fraud” and a “hoax,” said the 77-year-old Republican, who wants to win back the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. “This is a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.” Following his remarks, Trump took a seat in the courtroom.
The attorney general accuses Trump of inflating the assets of his real estate empire over the years in order to get better conditions for loans and insurance. Last week, James, who is a member of President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party, won an important legal victory: Judge Engoron ruled before the trial began that Trump overstated the assets and thereby committed “fraud.”
Civil trial against Donald Trump in New York
First report from Monday, October 2nd: New York – Donald Trump is not aware of any guilt. “THE WHOLE CASE IS A FRAUD!!!”, announced he shouts loudly on his online platform Truth Social – in capital letters, of course. At the same time, shortly before the start of civil proceedings for financial fraud, he also announced that he would appear in person in New York: “I’m going to court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and for my reputation,” Trump wrote on Sunday evening (October 1st ).
The former US president and his legal team had previously indicated that the 77-year-old could at least take part in the first hearings. Trump, who despite all the charges and trials is currently the clear favorite for the Republican presidential nomination, has been invited as a witness, but has not yet announced whether he will be present at the start of the trial on October 2nd.
Now the main thing is what punishments Trump and the other accused can expect. There is one thing to keep in mind: This is a civil case and Trump is not threatened with prison. Rather, a central question will be how high the fine against Trump will be. Attorney General Letitia James is demanding a fine of $250 million (237 million euros) against Trump and his family holding company. She also wants to ensure that Trump and his two eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are no longer allowed to do business in New York state. James sued Trump and his family in September 2022.
What punishment Donald Trump faces in New York
In a preliminary ruling, New York judge Arthur Engoron has already accused Trump, his sons and senior employees of having inflated and manipulated the goodwill of his real estate empire for years. They are said to have tried to get more favorable conditions for loans and insurance contracts, which violates New York law. In doing so, Engoron anticipated an important decision as to how this is possible in such proceedings.
Civil trial against Trump could drag on for months
It is still unclear whether Trump could even be forced to sell some landmarks, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. According to the station CNN The trial was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. New York time (4 p.m. CEST). It could drag on for months. (cs/dpa/afp)