A New York appeals court has rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s request to delay his civil fraud trial, which is scheduled to begin on October 2nd. Trump had accused the trial judge of wrongfully refusing to dismiss most of the case. The appellate court denied his motion to postpone the trial and lifted a previous order to put the trial on hold while considering Trump’s request. The court’s decision comes after state court Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his family business had fraudulently inflated the value of their assets and net worth to obtain favorable loan and insurance terms. Trump faces a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking at least $250 million in penalties and a ban against Trump and his sons from running businesses in New York.
Despite his legal troubles, Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The civil fraud trial is unrelated to the four criminal indictments that Trump currently faces, including charges related to his alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has dismissed the lawsuits against him as politically motivated. Meanwhile, the attorney general’s office and defense lawyers have disclosed lists of potential witnesses, which may include Trump, his adult sons, and former employees of the Trump Organization. The trial could have significant implications for Trump’s assets, potentially forcing him to cede control of properties such as Trump Tower in Manhattan and his family estate in New York County.
In conclusion, a New York appeals court has denied Donald Trump’s request to delay his civil fraud trial, which is set to begin on October 2nd. The court’s decision comes after a lower court judge found that Trump and his family business had fraudulently inflated the value of their assets. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking significant penalties and a ban on Trump and his sons running businesses in the state. Despite legal challenges, Trump remains a leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The trial could have far-reaching consequences for Trump’s assets, potentially requiring him to relinquish control of key properties.