Former President takes the witness stand in the $250 million financial fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General that will decide the penalties Trump, his two eldest sons and their family business must pay after being found liable for years of over-inflating the value of their assets.
New York financial fraud
Trump takes the stand
Key players: Former President Donald Trump, Judge Arthur Engoron, Trump Org. executive vice presidents Donald Trump Jr. and , Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump lawyers Christopher Kise and Alina Habba, N.Y. AG lawyer Kevin Wallace
Live updates:
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After being sworn in, Trump testifies that he doesn’t think any real estate developer ever lowballed the value of his assets more than he has, USA Today reported. Engoron quickly issues a rebuke, telling Trump not to editorialize: “Mr. Kise, can you control your client? This is not a political rally, this is a courtroom,” Engoron says.
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In another clash with Trump, Engoron vents: “In addition to the answers being nonresponsive, they’re repetitive,” the Associated Press reported.
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While Trump downplayed his own involvement in the preparation of financial statements James says were riddled with falsehoods, he did concede he had some role. “I would look at them, I would see them, and maybe on some occasions, I would have some suggestions,” he testified.
Why it matters: Engoron has already found the defendants liable…
