In the forthcoming days, Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, along with his three offspring, is expected to grace the stand in a New York courtroom. The goal is to provide testimony in a fraud case targeting their family’s real estate empire. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, was the initial member of the family to testify on Wednesday in what his father has labelled as “a witch hunt”. He is expected to make another court appearance on Thursday.
The charges against Trump and his children stem from a September 26 ruling. According to the judge, Trump had artificially inflated his net worth and the value of the Trump Organization’s assets. The organization has a diverse portfolio, including hotels, casino resorts, and restaurants. Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, the former president’s elder sons, are standing trial for their alleged roles in this fraudulent inflation.
Ivanka Trump, who held high-ranking positions within the company, has also been accused of gaining financially from the family business and being aware of its fraudulent activities. Although the judge ruled Trump guilty of the main claim, presented by New York attorney general Letitia James, the ongoing civil trial is set to address six other fraud accusations and decide on the penalties. Judge Arthur Engoron will preside over the non-jury trial and deliver the verdict.
In this case, Trump Jr and Eric are co-defendants and key figures. They assumed control of the Trump Organization from their father in 2017, serving as executive vice presidents. Despite the accusations, they have denied any wrongdoing.
Trump Jr’s legal problems extend beyond this case. He is currently facing four other criminal prosecutions, including for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, as reported by Reuters. Eric, Trump’s second eldest son, is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, with Trump himself testifying on Monday.
Despite Ivanka’s attempt to resist a subpoena to the trial, a judge has called her to testify in the case. Her court appearance is slated for November 8. Initially listed as a co-defendant in Judge James’s lawsuit, an appeals court dismissed her from the case as the claims against her were deemed too old.
Trump Jr’s initial court appearance lasted 85 minutes, characterized by laughter, smiles, and repeated referrals to his accountant for answers. He claimed he was not involved in the preparation of the financial documents at the heart of the trial. However, one of the yearly financial statements states that the trustees “are responsible” for the document, as reported by The AP.
If the verdict is guilty, the Trump business empire could face substantial fines and operational restrictions in New York state. Trump Jr and Eric may be barred from managing any company based in New York again. Moreover, Trump and his organisation might face a five-year real estate ban and be obliged to pay at least $250m in fines. An independent monitor would also oversee all operations of the Trump Organization.
Judge Engoron has already ordered the dissolution of companies controlling significant portions of Trump’s real estate portfolio, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. However, Trump has appealed the ruling, thus suspending it for the time being.
