NY - $250m fraud against Former President Donald Trump, Trump Org., Eric, Donald Jr., Sept 2022, Trial 2 Oct 2023, #2

[sds71]

NY AG Letitia James is referring the results of her investigation into former president Trump, his children, and corporation to the IRS Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for possible criminal prosecution.

Tish James says Trump tax records seized by the FBI from Mar-a-Lago may have been concealed from her investigators.

We uncovered more than 200 examples of asset value inflation. She says Trump did so “by any means necessarily” in a scheme “that became more profitable over time”

“Deutsche Bank is cooperating”

"Mar-a-Lago was valued as high as $739 million, but should have been valued at around $75 million.. "A statement valued rent-stabilized apartments in the Trump Park Avenue, collectively worth $750,000, as valued at nearly $50 million"

AG James preemptively responds to criticism that this probe is “witch hunt”… saying it originated after Michael Cohen testified in Congress years ago

222 pages:

https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tto_complaint.pdf

https://twitter.com/x/status/1572611664339677186

Thread #1

 

[dmac55]

What to watch when Donald Trump takes the stand in New York civil fraud trial - CNN
What to watch when Donald Trump takes the stand in New York civil fraud trial — CNN

 

[acutename]

NOV 5, 2023

Trump's decades of testimony provide some clues about how he'll fight for his real estate empire

Donald Trump has testified in court as a football owner, casino builder and airline buyer. Come Monday, he's poised to reprise his role as a witness, this time as a former president fighting to save the real estate empire that vaulted him to stardom.

apnews.com

Donald Trump has testified in court as a football owner, casino builder and airline buyer. He bragged in a deposition that he saved “millions of lives” by deterring nuclear war as president. Another time, he fretted about the dangers of flung fruit.

[...]

Trump has testified in court in at least eight trials since 1986, according to an Associated Press review of court records and news coverage. He also has been questioned under oath in more than a dozen depositions and regulatory hearings.

[...]

Those testimonies, captured in thousands of pages of transcripts and some on videotape, offer clues to the approach Trump is likely to take when he testifies in Manhattan.

[...]

On the stand in a boxing-related case in 1990, Trump described a Mike Tyson fight he planned for one of his casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as “one of the greatest rematches you could have.” Accused by two men of cutting them out of a riverboat gambling project, Trump professed ignorance, testifying in 1999: “I was shocked by this whole case. I had no idea who these people were.”

Trump was briefly called to the witness stand in the New York case last month to explain comments outside of court that the judge said violated a limited gag order.

Before that, he last testified in a courtroom in 2013, two years before launching his winning presidential campaign. An 87-year-old suburban Chicago widower had sued him over changes to contract terms for a hotel and condominium tower she had bought units in as an investment. Trump grew increasingly agitated as his testimony wore on, at one point raising his arms and bellowing: “And then she sued me. It’s unbelievable!”

[...]

“Based on my experience with him, you better be able to have super tight questions, with documents to support them, so that he cannot wiggle around,” Kulwin added. “I would approach the judge and have him admonished before he even got on the stand: ‘Mr. Trump, this is not a political campaign. These people, you’re not trying to get their vote. This is a judicial proceeding.’”

[...]

I think he is likely to start giving a speech that he is a candidate; that the case is a witch hunt; that everyone exaggerates at times in real estate evaluations; that no one was surprised or harmed; that he relied on his accountants... I would be surprised if he says anything that has not been said before IMO.

 

[acutename]

I was just talking about DT Jr.'s comment about making him look sexy (which is near to impossible even for the finest artist IMO ).
It seems so strange that when there is a possiblility of jail time for him and his family, he would make light of the proceedings.
Not a good look IMO junior.

I think that he is used to being on TV and believes that he is being "light and entertaining." IMO. However, I also do not think that he believes that this case is serious. IMO.

 

[Niner]

Monday, November 6th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 24) (@ 10am ET) – NY - New York vs. Donald J. Trump (76/now 77), Donald Trump, Jr. (45) & Eric Trump (38/now 39) & the Trump Organization, Inc. (Allen Weisselberg (75/now 76) & Jeffrey McConney) are being sued by Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, who is leading a civil investigation (which cannot result in criminal charges filed on 9/21/22) & has spent years looking at whether the company committed various acts of fraud over several decades. In the civil case, Ms. James has filed a lawsuit against Trump & two of his children accusing them of "astounding" fraud & deception.
New York is seeking $250 million in financial penalties & asked the court to ban Trump, Donald Trump Jr. & Eric Trump from serving as an officer or director in any corporation registered or licensed in New York. James also requested the court ban the former president & his business from acquiring real estate in New York or from applying for loans from any New York financial institution for five years. James's civil case accuses Trump of lying from 2011 to 2021 about asset values at the Trump Organization, as well as his own net worth, in order to obtain better terms from lenders & insurers.
Lawsuit against: Donald John Trump, Donald Trump, Jr, Eric Trump, Allen Weisselberg, Jeffrey McConney, The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, The Trump Organization, Inc., Trump Organization LLC, DJT Holdings LLC, DJT Holinds Managing Memer, Trump Endeavor 12 LLC, 401 North Wabash Venture LLC, Trump Old Post of Fice LLC, 40 Wall Street LLC & Seven Springs LLC.
All charges against Ivanka Trump were dismissed in June, 2023.
Bench Trial began on 10/2/23. (could last until 12/22/23 per Judge).
The lawsuit’s remaining 6 counts allege similar acts of fraud (that Trump inflated his assets on statements of financial condition that he submitted to banks & insurers for personal gain).
Judge Arthur F. Engoron presiding / NY State Attorney General Leticia James & senior enforcement counsel Kevin Wallace,
Defense attorney Christopher Kise & Jesus Suarez & Alina Habba for Trump, Weisselberg & the rest of the defendants for Trump Org. / Clifford Robert of Robert & Robert PLLC for Donald, Jr. & Eric.
Trump fined $5,000 on 10/20/23 for violating his gag order & on 10/25/23 Trump fined $10,000 for violating his gag order 2nd time. Both paid on 10/30/23 per Alina Habba.
Judge Arthur Engoron on 11/3/23 has expanded a gag order prohibiting Trump’s attorneys from making any further comments about confidential communications between the judge & his staff inside or outside of the courtroom. The judge said violating the order would result in “serious sanctions.”
Case & court info & Summary Judgement from 9/21/22 thru 9/28/23 & Bench Trial Day 1-22 (10/2-11/2/23) reference post #956 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mp-org-and-executives-oct-2023.673964/page-48
11/3/23 Friday, Bench Trial Day 23: State witnesses: Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Org. back on stand.
For more info see post #973 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mp-org-and-executives-oct-2023.673964/page-49
Bench Trial continues on Monday, 11/6/23. State’s witness will be Donald J. Trump.
The judge overseeing Trump’s civil fraud trial has expanded a gag order in the trial to extend to Trump’s attorneys after continued lengthy discussions about the judge’s communications with his law clerk during court this week. In a written order Friday, Judge Arthur Engoron prohibited Trump’s attorneys from making any further comments about confidential communications between the judge & his staff inside or outside of the courtroom. The judge said violating the order would result in “serious sanctions.”

 

[Inthedetails]

I think he is likely to start giving a speech that he is a candidate; that the case is a witch hunt; that everyone exaggerates at times in real estate evaluations; that no one was surprised or harmed; that he relied on his accountants... I would be surprised if he says anything that has not been said before IMO.

Agree, but unlike a campaign speech when the candidate can say anything truthful or not, his words on the stand will be on official record and regarded as his literal testimony that can be compared to facts and evidence. When you're on the stand, you're accountable (pun intended) to your words under the rule of law, not rule of bullies or rule of popularity polls.

jmo

 

[legalmomma]

I think he is likely to start giving a speech that he is a candidate; that the case is a witch hunt; that everyone exaggerates at times in real estate evaluations; that no one was surprised or harmed; that he relied on his accountants... I would be surprised if he says anything that has not been said before IMO.

Don’t forget the Disclaimer which will be repeated over and over…

 

[legalmomma]

https://x.com/trumpdailyposts/status/1721471689341698462?s=46&t=CebEjvidhDaYxPmQntcKRQ

Yep…DISCLAIMER

 

[legalmomma]

https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1721492617232351239?s=46&t=CebEjvidhDaYxPmQntcKRQ

Good morning from the New York attorney general’s civil fraud trial against many defendants, including today’s witness, former President Donald Trump. I’ll be inside the courtroom again along with @msnbc and @nbcnews colleagues to bring you all the developments live.

 

[Leilei]

For Twitter/X users, I'm following

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721543175938933071

Apparently the judge told DJT to just answer the questions posed to him, not to make speeches.
Get your popcorn ready, it's going to be a crazy day! IMO.

 

[tlcya]

Before entering the courtroom, James predicted that Trump will likely engage in "name calling, taunts, [and] race baiting" to distract from his testimony.

"Before he takes the stand, I am certain that he will engage in name calling, taunts, race baiting, and call this a witch hunt," James told reporters. "But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters are the facts and the numbers, and numbers, my friends, don't lie."
The numbers 'don't lie,' says New York AG

"The people call Donald J. Trump," state attorney Kevin Wallace said.

With that, Donald Trump rose from his seat, made the short walk from the counsel table to the witness stand, and took a seat.

To his immediate right sits Judge Arthur Engoron and his clerk Allison Greenfield, who Trump has repeatedly criticized as biased. Directly across from him and in eyeshot is New York Attorney General Letitia James, who sits in the courtroom's gallery with her eyes fixed on the former president.

Trump, wearing a tailored navy blue suit, blue dress shirt, and blue tie, sits slightly slouched in the witness box.

"Please raise your right hand," a court officer advised Trump. "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that any testimony you give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," Trump said with his hand raised.
Trump takes the stand

“It’s very unfair. But in the meantime, the people of the country understand it. They see it, and they don’t like it,” he said. “They don’t like it because it’s political warfare, as you would call it.”

“Or political lawfare, another name — I’ve got a lot of names for it — but usually it takes place in Third World countries and banana republics,” he added.
[snip]
“This crazy trial goes along. We will bring in bankers. They will explain what the process is," he said. "They paid little attention to documents. They were more interested in the deal.”
[snip]
The judge asked Trump to "please move it along and answer the questions."

"Some of the questions haven't been responsive," the judge added.

Trump looked ahead as the judge said this, never turning toward the judge.
Trump fraud trial live updates: Former president takes the stand to testify in N.Y. legal case

 

[Leilei]

From Klasfeld's reporting:

Judge: "Mr. Kise, can you control your client? This is not a political rally."Kise eventually tells him: "You're in control of the courtroom, not me."

Whew, Kise, control your client or the Judge will control both of you right into a contempt charge.
https://twitter.com/KlasfeldReports/status/1721551333797376076/analytics

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I can see I won't be able to sleep now.

It's almost 3am here and I'm suddenly wide awake.
I just don't want to miss a thing.

If I only had some popcorn.

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

God he's so embarassing

 

[Stunned]

God he's so embarassing

His supporters believe he is fighting for him? Still? Unbelievable!

 

[tlcya]

"The numbers are much greater than on the financial statement," he said of the New York attorney general's accusation that he overvalued his properties on this statements of financial condition, before going on to call New York AG Letitia James, who is black, a racist who has "made some terrible statements."
Trump fraud trial live updates: 'All Trump haters,' Trump calls attorneys

 

[Stunned]

"The numbers are much greater than on the financial statement," he said of the New York attorney general's accusation that he overvalued his properties on this statements of financial condition, before going on to call New York AG Letitia James, who is black, a racist who has "made some terrible statements."
Trump fraud trial live updates: 'All Trump haters,' Trump calls attorneys

Was Ms. Letitia James part of the question? If not, keep her name out of your mouth! IMO!

 

[tlcya]

“What did you do to meet your responsibility of preparation of the financial statement,” James’ office asked.

Trump said: “Me personally? First of all this was so long ago this is past statute of limitations.”

Trump then insisted that Engoron will “rule against me because he will always rule against me.”
'The numbers are much greater,' Trump says

“All I did was authorize and tell people to give whatever is necessary to supply the accountants for the statements," he said. "I authorized whatever they needed to do to get their statement done.”

As for the bankers that the AG maintains were duped into giving him more favorable loans than he was entitled to, Trump said, "They paid little attention to documents. They were more interested in the deal.”
Trump distances himself from his financial statements

"First of all, it's so long ago -- this is well beyond the statute of limitations," Trump said. "But I'm sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me."

Engoron, who had already directed Trump to answer concisely and avoid lengthy narrative responses, stepped in, addressing Trump's attorney Christopher Kise.

"Mr. Kise, was that relevant to the narrative?" he asked.

"This is an unusual situation and an unusual trial," Kise replied. "I think it's fair for the court to hear his position. I certainly think it's fair for the American people to hear his position."

"The comment that I always rule against him ... certainly didn't answer the question," Engoron said. "You can attack me -- you can do whatever you want. Please just answer the questions."
'Please just answer the questions,' judge says

"But you never know because people come along and could say it's worth $250 million. It only takes one person to buy it," he said. "I thought it was high and it is the brand value."

"The brand value is a very big part of the asset value of the company," he added. "I could have added brand value and increased the value, and my financial statement would be very substantial."

Trump says he thought his apartment was 'overvalued'

 

[tlcya]

"Mr. Kise -- can you control your client? This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom," Judge Engoron told Trump attorney Chris Kise following a politically charged answer from the former president. He added, "Maybe you should have a talk with him right now."

State attorney Kevin Wallace then restated his question, and Trump responded briefly. Within minutes, Engoron grew frustrated again.

"Stricken, stricken, stricken," the judge shouted from the bench.
'This is not a political rally,' judge tells Trump

 

[legalmomma]

Engoron asks Trump lawyers to control him​

Annemarie Bonner
Judge Engoron asked Trump's attorneys if they could control him in the courtroom. He said, "This is not a political rally … maybe you need to have a talk with him right now."

Trump fraud trial recap: Former president testifies in N.Y. legal case

The latest news and live updates as Trump testifies in his civil fraud case brought on by the New York attorney general. Last week, two of his sons gave their testimony.

www.nbcnews.com