Despite a long-shot request from Donald Trump’s lawyers to end his civil fraud trial in New York in his favor, a New York judge is unlikely to grant the request.
The request came after the New York attorney general’s office rested its case against Trump, his two adult sons, and 10 of his companies. New York Attorney General Letitia James is pursuing the case, claiming that Trump and his family businesses manipulated the value of his golf courses, hotels, and other assets by billions of dollars, to secure better deals with lenders and insurers and lighten his tax bill.
Trump’s lawyers have requested a “directed verdict,” finding that no one could reasonably rule in favor of the opposing party. Justice Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the case, is expected to rule on their request soon. However, the trial is still expected to continue through mid-December if the motion is denied.
Despite Trump, his sons, and his daughter Ivanka testifying that they delegated the financial statements at the heart of the case to accountants, evidence introduced in the trial shows they were all involved to some extent.
The attorney general’s office is seeking at least $250 million in penalties and restrictions that would effectively bar Trump and his adult sons from the New York real estate business for five years.
Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly accused James and the judge overseeing the trial of political bias and “election interference.”
The fraud trial is one of several legal battles Trump faces as he mounts a comeback bid for the White House. He is also a defendant in four criminal trials, including two stemming from his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Despite these legal battles, Trump holds a commanding lead over his rivals for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination.