Trump testified on fraud charges

Former US President Donald Trump testified at the hearing of the ongoing case in New York about the accusation that he “defrauded many people and institutions in the real estate industry for years.”

Trump took his place in the courtroom in the morning for the hearing at the state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Trump, who denied the accusations against him in his statement and defended his assets and companies, called the case a “witch hunt.”

Trump: “I am billions of dollars richer than the financial statements say. It is the exact opposite of the corruption that occurs here. “You’re probably trying to hurt me here for political reasons.” He criticized the case and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The judge in the case, Arthur Engoron, warned his lawyer Chris Kise about Trump, alleging that he “gave long, irrelevant answers” during his testimony and said, “Mr. Kise, could you please check on your client?” This is a courtroom, not a political meeting place. “We have no time to waste here,” he said.

“LIKE A DISC BUMPED”

Noting that they repaid the loans they received from the banks without any problems, Trump said: “The banks made a lot of money working with me, they really like me, if they have a problem with me, they have the best lawyers in the country.” world, they would sue me.

Trump went on to say that banks should do their own due diligence. Engoron said he thought he was listening to a broken record about Trump’s statements on this issue. “Because he doesn’t understand, your honor,” Trump said. “You keep asking me the same question,” he complained.

Trump, who testified for about four hours, defended himself against questions from Deputy Attorney General Kevin Wallace that there was no corruption in his company’s financial statements and reiterated that the case against him was opened for political reasons.

Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, is expected to testify in the case on Wednesday.

Trump’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump testified last week.

Last week, it was also claimed that Trump’s daughter Ivanka appealed Judge Arthur Engoron’s order not to testify in the $250 million legal case. It is unknown how the notice of appeal will affect the situation of Ivanka Trump, who is due in court on Wednesday.

POSSIBLE TO FINISH IN MID-DECEMBER

As a result of the trial, which began on October 2 and is expected to last until mid-December, Judge Engoron will decide issues such as how much to fine the Trump companies and whether their license to do business in New York state will be revoked. .

Because this is a civil, not criminal, fraud case, no one is expected to receive a prison sentence as a result of the trial.

Former US President Trump, who had previously not attended many of the hearings in the cases brought against him on charges of “sexual harassment” and “tax fraud”, repeatedly attended the hearings in this case, although he was not required to testify. . which sparked intense media interest as a “surprise event.”

THEY ASK FOR A FINE OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

New York Attorney General Letitia James, in the indictment alleging that the wealth of Trump, his three children and his company was overstated by $3.6 billion, asked the judge to prevent Trump and his children from re-establishing a company in New York, prohibiting them from purchasing commercial real estate for 5 years and imposing a fine of 250 years. She is demanding a fine of millions of dollars.

In the lawsuit filed under the accusation of “defrauding many people and institutions in the real estate sector for years,” Judge Arthur Engoron concluded that the former president and his company, the “Trump Organization”, defrauded banks, insurers and businessmen by overvaluing their assets and exaggerating his assets in contracts and financing documents, resolved that the charges be heard in court.

In his 35-page decision, Engoron claimed that Trump, his company and his principals obtained favorable loans and low insurance premiums by constantly lying about their annual financial situation.

Trump’s lawyers also appealed to the New York appeals court regarding Engoron’s ruling that Trump and other defendants were liable for fraud.

The lawsuit sought to evaluate whether Judge Engöron “made errors of fact and/or law, abused his discretion, and/or acted beyond his authority” in making his decision. (AGENCIES)