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Trump, frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential
nomination, is arriving fresh off a Monday campaign stop in Iowa
and after a weeklong absence from the trial centering on
allegations that he inflated his net worth to secure more
favorable loan terms.
The timing of his return to court initially coincided with
planned testimony from his former lawyer Michael Cohen, a star
witness in the case who is now expected to testify next week.
Jack Weisselberg, son of former Trump Organization chief
financial officer Allen Weisselberg, is expected to testify
Tuesday, along with a real estate appraiser involved in valuing
Trump's 40 Wall Street property.
The lawsuit by Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia
James alleges Trump reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in
ill-gotten savings by overstating the value of his properties in
documents he provided to banks.
Trump has denied wrongdoing and defended the valuations of his
properties, saying the case is a “fraud” and attacking both
James and the judge overseeing the case.
The judge, Justice Arthur Engoron, found in September that Trump
had engaged in fraud and ordered the dissolution of companies
controlling crown jewels of his real estate portfolio, including
Trump Tower in Manhattan. That ruling is on hold while Trump
appeals.
The trial largely concerns damages. James is seeking at least
$250 million in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his
sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York and
a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the
Trump Organization.
Trump was in attendance for the first three days of trial. He
delivered fiery remarks to reporters outside the courtroom
during breaks, calling the case a "sham," a "scam" and part of a
“witch hunt” by political rivals seeking to prevent him from
retaking the White House in the November 2024 election.
Engoron imposed a gag order on Trump after the former president
attacked a court clerk in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The gag order bars Trump from speaking publicly about court
staff.
(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder
and David Gregorio)
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