new York
Trump expected to testify under oath in fraud trial
Donald Trump is expected to stand trial at the New York Supreme Court on civil business fraud charges. photo
© Yuki Iwamura/AP/dpa
For Donald Trump, the New York fraud trial against him is about the future of his corporate empire. The former US President is scheduled to testify in court for the first time on Monday – under oath.
In the fraud trial against The former US President is expected to testify personally against Donald Trump in New York. Trump will be under oath when questioned by prosecutors. Trump’s statement, against whom several criminal trials are underway, is eagerly awaited.
It’s about the future of the 77-year-old’s corporate empire. Anyone who verifiably makes a false statement under oath will face charges of perjury.
The trial in New York had led to Trump’s angry tirades against the judge, court employees and the public prosecutor in recent weeks. Trump wants to be re-elected US President for the Republicans next year. Prosecutors accuse Trump, his sons and employees of manipulating the value of the Trump Organization for years in order to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. Judge Arthur Engoron had already confirmed this before the trial – the proceedings are now primarily about determining possible punishments.
Conviction could do great harm to Trump
Trump is not threatened with a prison sentence or a direct impact on his bid for the presidency, but a conviction could cause him great business damage. Attorney General Letitia James wants to ensure that Trump has to pay 250 million US dollars (around 239 million euros) and is no longer allowed to do business in New York. It is unclear whether he would also have to give up properties such as his famous New York Trump Tower if he is convicted.
Several of Trump’s children had recently testified. However, Donald Jr. and Eric denied any allegations in court and said they had nothing to do with the Trump Organization’s accounting and billing.
Because of numerous verbal gaffes by Trump, who was personally present at the trial several times, Judge Engoron had already threatened him with serious consequences, imposed a fine and a ban on defamation of court employees.
Trump is the most promising candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in a year’s election. According to many observers, he is using the trial as election advertising and repeatedly claims that the trial is part of a political campaign against him.