2024-01-11 02:42:35
Donald Trump wanted to defend himself at the end of his civil trial for financial fraud in New York, but the judge sharply refused, according to an email exchange Wednesday between a lawyer for the former US president and the magistrate.
• Read also: Death of the mother of Melania Trump, former first lady of the United States
• Read also: Two Republican rivals of Trump face-to-face just before the start of the primaries
• Read also: Parliamentary hearing turns into free-for-all after Hunter Biden’s surprise appearance
The former President of the United States is accused with his sons, Eric and Donald Jr, before the New York civil courts of having colossally inflated during the 2010s the value of skyscrapers, luxury hotels or golf courses in heart of their empire, the Trump Organization, to obtain more favorable loans from banks and better insurance conditions.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who filed a complaint in the fall of 2022 for financial fraud, is demanding $370 million in compensation from them.
After a number of back and forths since January 4 on the advisability and conditions of such an exceptional request, Judge Engoron issued a sharp dismissal on Wednesday.
The day before, the lawyer had requested the postponement of the argument until January 29, arguing that the mother of Donald Trump’s wife had just “passed away” and that his client “was very close to her”.
Request rejected by Judge Engoron who then sets this Wednesday noon an ultimatum for Donald Trump to accept all these conditions: “It’s take it or leave it. It’s now or never. You have until noon, in seven minutes. I WILL NOT GRANT ANY ADDITIONAL DELAY.”
A quarter of an hour later, the judge decides in a new email: “he will not speak in court tomorrow” Thursday.
Since the start of the trial on October 2, the 77-year-old businessman has railed against justice each time he comes to court, in the courtroom or in the corridors, denouncing a “witch hunt” or a “trial worthy of banana republics. After attacks on his clerk, Judge Engoron banned him from speaking about his team and imposed two fines totaling $15,000 for violating the order.
1704952957
#Trump #defend #defense #fraud #trial #judge #refuses