(TargetLiberty.org) – Donald Trump indicated his likely absence at his civil fraud trial this Thursday, citing a golf event at his resort as the reason.
The lawsuit, initiated by New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, alleges that Trump, along with his corporation, engaged in a scheme to exaggerate his wealth and the value of his assets in financial documents. These were reportedly used to negotiate transactions and obtain loans.
While Judge Arthur Engoron has already found Trump and his organization guilty of fraud, the ongoing trial is examining additional accusations, including conspiracy, insurance fraud, and the distortion of business documents.
Despite these legal challenges, Trump, eyeing a return to the presidency, has consistently refuted James’ claims. He has been present for five days of the trial, which involves a $250 million claim, and has frequently criticized his perceived persecution in front of media personnel stationed outside the courthouse in Manhattan. He maintains that the legal action is a politically motivated effort to impede his potential 2024 presidential campaign.
Regarding his attendance at the trial on Thursday, Trump suggested his plans to possibly skip due to a significant golfing event scheduled at his Doral resort in Florida.
Queries have been sent to a representative of Trump for further statements.
The trial on Wednesday experienced a disruption when a female court employee caused a commotion by offering her support to Trump during the session. Identified as a staff member of the court system, the woman was apprehended before she could approach Trump and was charged with contempt for interrupting the court session, as confirmed by Lucian Chalfen, a representative for the New York State Office of Court Administration. Consequently, she has been subjected to administrative leave.
In a separate incident during the trial, Judge Engoron reprimanded Trump for an outburst while witness Doug Larson, a real estate evaluator, was on the stand.
Post his ruling on the primary accusation, Judge Engoron took significant actions against Trump’s business operations, a move experts have dubbed as a “corporate death penalty.” Although an appellate court denied Trump’s request to halt the trial, it permitted him temporary stewardship of his business assets.
Additionally, in the wake of Trump publicly berating the judge’s legal assistant, Engoron enforced a restricted gag order, prohibiting trial participants from publicly denigrating his staff members.
In addition to this civil case, Trump confronts 91 felony charges spread across four different jurisdictions: Washington D.C., New York, Florida, and Georgia, all of which he has fervently disputed.
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