Devendra Kumar
The Trump legal team is working to dismiss the civil business fraud trial against him, citing a statute of limitations that bars claims related to activities before 2014. However, Judge Arthur Engoron has made it clear that statutes of limitations only bar evidence, not claims, and that both sides will be allowed to present older evidence to support their claims. The trial centers on allegations that Trump and his business lied about his wealth on financial statements given to banks, insurers, and others.
Trump’s legal team has argued that the financial statements were legitimate representations of the worth of unique luxury properties, made even more valuable due to their association with him. They claim that the sheets were used to obtain loans and other benefits, and that the company’s financial condition was vastly overstated. Judge Engoron’s ruling that Trump committed fraud by exaggerating the size of his penthouse at Trump Tower is a significant blow to the defendant’s case.
Trump himself has been actively involved in the trial, attending the second day of proceedings and making public statements about the case. He has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the lawsuit is a political attack by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat. Judge Engoron has warned Trump that the trial is not an opportunity to relitigate issues he has already decided, and that the focus must remain on the case at hand.
As the trial unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s legal team will be able to mount a successful defense, or whether the prosecution will be able to demonstrate the extent of the fraud they allege. The trial is expected to continue into December, and will ultimately determine the fate of Trump’s business empire and his own reputation. Trump’s legal team has a significant challenge ahead of them as they attempt to discredit the prosecution’s evidence and present a persuasive defense.
Trump’s own involvement in the trial does not seem to be helping his case, as Judge Engoron has made it clear that the focus should be on the evidence, not on Trump’s public statements or political attacks. The outcome of the trial is far from certain, but it is clear that the Trump legal team has a tough road ahead of them if they hope to dismiss the charges and avoid a major blow to their client’s reputation.