In a last-minute twist, former President Donald Trump’s legal team has launched a legal challenge that could potentially disrupt the upcoming trial in the New York attorney general’s business fraud lawsuit against him and his company. The trial, originally scheduled to commence on October 2, is now under threat after Trump’s lawyers accused the trial judge, Arthur Engoron, of abusing his authority.
On Thursday, Justice David Friedman, a judge on the state’s intermediate appellate court, issued an interim stay of the trial and ordered a speedy consideration of the lawsuit filed by Trump’s lawyers. The lawsuit targets Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Engoron himself, alleging that Engoron disregarded a prior appeals court decision that Trump’s team believes should limit the scope of the case against the former president. A decision on this matter is expected the week of September 25, which may determine whether the trial proceeds as scheduled.
The lawsuit by Attorney General James contends that Trump engaged in business fraud, deceiving banks, insurers, and others by inflating the value of his assets and subsequently increasing his net worth by billions. The suit seeks $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump conducting business in New York. Trump, a leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, vehemently denies any wrongdoing. While the trial could lead to significant repercussions, Trump is not anticipated to testify in person, with the possibility of video recordings of his depositions being presented during the proceedings.
This latest legal maneuver is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to challenge the judges presiding over various cases against him, highlighting the contentious nature of his legal battles. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the fate of this particular trial hinges on the forthcoming decision from the appeals court, with the potential for further delays or adjustments to the trial’s schedule.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
