Trump announces he will attend appeal hearing in "fraud case" against himIn a statement on social media, Trump criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed the charges, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled that the "fraud" charges were consistent.
The former US President announced that he will personally attend the hearing today to protect his reputation as his lawyers appeal Engoron's ruling.
Calling the entire case a "sham", Trump argued that Judge Engoron had treated him "unfairly, unevenly and brutally".
The case against Trump, who faces 6 charges including "document falsification" and "insurance fraud", will be decided in a non-jury trial today.
The former US President, who has not attended most of the hearings of the lawsuits filed against him on charges of sexual harassment and tax fraud, is considered as a "surprise development" when he announced that he will attend the hearing in the case to be held today, although he is not obliged to testify.
Fraud case against Trump
In the indictment, which alleges that Trump, his three children and his company overstated his wealth by $3.6 billion, Attorney General James asks the judge to prohibit Trump and his children from establishing any more companies in New York and purchasing commercial real estate for 5 years, and to impose a fine of 250 million dollars.
In the lawsuit filed on charges that Trump "defrauded numerous individuals and institutions in the real estate industry for years," Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that the former president and his "Trump Organization" defrauded banks, insurers and business people by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth in deals and financing documents.
In his 35-page ruling, Engoron stated that Trump, his company and its executives obtained favorable loans and low insurance premiums by repeatedly lying about their annual financial situation.
If the charges are upheld, control of some of Trump's companies could be transferred to a court-appointed trustee.
Trump's lawyer Christopher Kise described the decision as "completely disconnected from the facts and applicable law" and announced that they would file an appeal.
Trump, announces he will attend the hearing!
In a statement on social media, Trump criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed the charges, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled that the "fraud" charges were consistent.
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