The former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower in New York City on April 13, 2019. A trial will begin on Monday to investigate allegations that Trump, his associates and some of his kids committed fraud in order to conduct business.
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Former President Donald Trump leaving Trump Tower in New York City on April 13, 2019. A trial will begin on Monday to investigate allegations that Trump, his associates and some of his kids committed fraud in order to do business.
John Lamparski/Getty Images
The civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump began in New York Monday. Trump and other defendants are accused of exaggerating the value of their real estate.
If found guilty, Trump would have to pay $250 million in damages and be banned from doing business in New York state.
This is one of four pending lawsuits Trump is facing in New York alone while he is seeking reelection in the 2024 presidential race.
The lawsuit alleges Trump committed fraud to do business
After a three-year investigation, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in September 2022 claiming Trump and his executive team engaged in fraudulent business practices. The lawsuit alleges that Trump and his executive team engaged in fraudulent business practices. But a New York appeals court panel of judges rejected that move earlier last week, allowing the trial to continue as scheduled.
New York judge has already decided Trump committed fraud
On Sept. 26, New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the trial, issued an order concluding that Trump and his associates — including his children Eric, Donald Jr. and Ivanka Trump — did inflate the value of their assets.
Though the judge ruled on some of the major elements of the lawsuit, there remain six other claims that will be argued during the trial. This includes allegations that Trump and his associates broke state law by falsifying documents, conspiring to falsify business records, issuing false business statements and financial statements and committing insurance fraud.
The attorney general of New York is also still seeking roughly $250 million in penalties.
Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing
Trump has called the fraud accusations ridiculous and untrue and has accused both the judge and New York attorney general, who are Democrats, of being politically motivated.
Christopher Kise, a lawyer for Trump, called the initial ruling that confirmed the fraud allegations outrageous and a miscarriage of justice.
Trump and children on the witness list
The trial was expected to run from October to December, but with the recent judge order, that could be shorter.
Both teams have a lengthy list of witnesses, though not all will get called. The former president, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are all listed on both teams. Ivanka was also included in the list by the attorney general’s office.