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Justice Arthur Engoron, who oversaw a three-month trial in the
case last year, had said he planned to rule by the end of
January but offered no guarantees. His eventual ruling could
deal a major blow to Trump's business empire as the
businessman-turned-politician seeks the Republican nomination to
challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S.
election.
The lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James
accused Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net
worth by as much $3.6 billion a year over a decade to secure
better loan terms. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the
case a political vendetta by James, an elected Democrat.
In addition to monetary penalties, James is seeking to
permanently ban Trump from New York's real estate industry and
sharply limit his ability to do business in the state.
Engoron previously ruled in September that Trump had engaged in
fraud and ordered his business empire be partially dissolved.
The full implications of that order are still unclear, and Trump
is appealing.
Closing arguments were delivered in the case on Jan. 11, with
Engoron saying on that day he had hoped to issue a ruling by
Jan. 31.
On the day of closing arguments, Trump lashed out at the judge
in the courtroom, telling him, "You have your own agenda. I
understand that you can't listen for more than one minute."
"Please control your client," the judge told Trump's lawyer,
Christopher Kise.
(Reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Will Dunham)
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