Lawyers representing Donald Trump have called for an immediate end to the civil fraud trial taking place in New York, claiming that the state lawyers have failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the former president intended to deceive banks, insurers, and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. Trump’s legal team has requested a directed verdict, asking Judge Arthur Engoron to clear Trump, his company, and other defendants of any wrongdoing. The defense argues that there are no victims, complainants, or injuries, and that the state lawyers have not met the legal standard to prove allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud, and falsifying business records.
State lawyer Kevin Wallace responded by stating that the defense’s arguments sounded more like closing arguments and that there was no basis for a directed verdict. Judge Engoron did not immediately rule on the matter, stating that he would take the arguments under advisement.
Trump’s lawyer, Christopher Kise, urged the judge to give special weight to Trump’s testimony, highlighting his decades of experience as a real estate developer. Kise argued that the state attorney general, Letitia James, was trying to substitute her judgment for that of the banks and someone with 50 years of experience in the real estate industry. During his testimony, Trump denied any wrongdoing and claimed that lenders were extremely satisfied with doing business with him. He also stated that his financial statements underestimated his wealth and the value of assets such as his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
In addition, Trump’s lawyer for his eldest sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., requested that claims against them be dismissed. The defense argued that the state lawyers had failed to prove that the sons, who were appointed to run Trump’s company when he became president, were involved in preparing the financial statements.
The lawyers presented their arguments in court following Ivanka Trump’s testimony as the state’s final witness. Judge Engoron, who has previously ruled against Trump, is responsible for deciding the outcome of the trial, rather than a jury. He has expressed interest in seeing the trial through to its conclusion, requesting witness schedules and setting closing arguments for mid-December.
The state attorney general, Letitia James, is seeking the return of over $300 million in allegedly ill-gotten gains and a ban on Trump and other defendants from conducting business in New York. The trial has lasted for six weeks and has included testimony from more than two dozen witnesses, including Trump, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., Trump Organization executives, outside accountants, and bank executives.
Kise emphasized that Deutsche Bank, one of Trump’s lenders, made its own adjustments to the asset values listed on Trump’s financial statements, even after substantial reductions, and still decided to lend him hundreds of millions of dollars. He also attacked the credibility of Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who initially testified that Trump had directed him to inflate asset values. However, during cross-examination, Cohen backtracked on his statement. Kise called Cohen’s testimony a “pathetic performance.”
The legal teams are currently making motions, including the defense’s bid for a directed verdict. If granted, the trial would come to an end without the need for further witnesses.
