A New York appeals court has denied a motion by former US President Donald Trump to delay his scheduled civil fraud trial, set to take place on October 2. Trump had accused the trial judge of wrongly refusing to dismiss the majority of the case. The trial is the result of a lawsuit filed by State Attorney General Letitia James in September 2022, alleging that Trump and his family business fraudulently overvalued assets and net worth to secure better terms on loans and insurance. James is seeking penalties of at least $250 million and a ban on Trump and his sons from running businesses in New York.

The appeals court’s decision comes just two days after state court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled in favor of allowing the trial to proceed, stating that there was “conclusive evidence” that Trump had overestimated his fortune by up to $2.2 billion. Engoron also ordered the cancellation of certificates that allow some of Trump’s businesses to operate, potentially forcing him to cede control of properties including Trump Tower in Manhattan and his family estate in Westchester County. The Attorney General’s office and defense lawyers have disclosed lists of potential witnesses for the trial, including Donald Trump, his adult sons, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, and Trump’s onetime personal lawyer Michael Cohen.

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Trump continues to hold a strong lead in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. This trial is separate from the four criminal indictments he currently faces, including charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has framed the litigation against him as politically motivated.

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