Donald Trump appeared in a Lower Manhattan courtroom Thursday morning to hear the testimony of an accounting expert in the civil fraud trial that threatens the former president’s real estate empire.
Eli Bartov, an accounting professor at New York University, is “one of the great experts in the country,” Trump, 77, told reporters as he arrived at Manhattan Supreme Court, adding he hoped “you’ll get to hear him.”
The former president delivered a roughly three-minute rant attacking the “grossly corrupt” trial, the judge and repeating the common refrain that the case was a “witch hunt” before entering the courtroom around 10 a.m.
Bartov — the last defense witness before Trump himself takes the stand today — has contested claims that the Republican committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets, arguing that such assessments are “subjective.”
Trump – who was accompanied in court by son Eric – was set to remain in court at 60 Center St. at least until the lunch break to watch as his defense attorney cross-examined Bartov.
Notably absent Thursday was New York Attorney General Letitia James — whose office is prosecuting the case and who has appeared in court in recent days when Trump has been present.
AP
The real estate tycoon listened intently to testimony from Bartov, who argued that the AG’s case had “no merit,” dismissing any errors in Trump’s annual financial statements as par for the course.
“Errors in accounting are inevitable,” he testified.
Bartov also dismissed the former president doubling the square footage of his Trump Tower penthouse in a 2011 statement as “not unusual.”
“Accounting fraud is an intentional misrepresentation rather than an accidental error,” Bartov said.
Trump speaks to members of the media at the New York Supreme Court during a civil fraud trial. AFP via Getty Images
During a brief morning break Trump said that Bartov’s testimony was a victory for his case.
“This is a very respected person,” Trump said. “I don’t know him. He was an expert witness and he found no fraud, he found no accounting fraud.”
The 2024 GOP presidential front-runner said he will return to court Monday to close the defense case with his own testimony.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that Greenfield co-judged with Engoron, is seeking to take the appeal to the state’s highest court. Reuters
Trump has not attended a hearing since Nov. 6, when he testified as the final witness in the AG’s $250 million fraud case against him.
The 45th president has attended seven of the 40 days of proceedings so far and did not have to appear in court as he would in a criminal case.
He took almost every opportunity in front of media cameras in court to attack the Attorney General and Judge Arthur Engoron, who decided the non-jury trial.
Judge Arthur Engoron (right) sits on the bench with chief law clerk Allison Greenfield before the start of the trial against Trump. AP
But on Thursday and Monday, the real estate tycoon will not be allowed to pursue Engoron’s chief law clerk, Allison Greenfield, since a limited gag order, barring Trump and his lawyers from speaking about the judge’s staff, was reinstated last week by an appeals court.
Trump – who has repeatedly claimed that Greenfield co-judged with Engoron – is seeking to take the appeal to the state’s highest court.
He has argued that the gag order is a violation of his right to free speech, which he says is even more important because he is on the campaign trail.
The issue may not be resolved before he finishes testifying.
Trump has argued that the gag order is a violation of his right to free speech. Gabriella Bass
On Thursday, a five-judge appeals panel decided to maintain a stay on the immediate revocation of Trump’s business license, which Engoron had ordered on the eve of a hearing in late September.
The order will be put on hold until after Engoron gives his final verdict in the trial, expected early next year.
Trump said outside the courtroom that he was “very appreciative[s]” appeals decision from Thursday, calling it “very strong” and “very powerful.”
Monday will be his second time testifying at a $250 million fraud trial brought by the government. AP
James filed a lawsuit last year against Trump, his two eldest sons, daughter Ivanka, the family’s real estate company, and others, alleging Trump exaggerated his net worth by billions a year on annual financial statements to gain an advantage in loan and insurance applications.
Trump has denied the Attorney General’s allegations and has repeatedly claimed he is the victim of a political witch hunt.
Ivanka, 42, was dismissed as a defendant from the case earlier this year when an appeals court found that the claims against her were beyond the statute of limitations.
All four Trumps testified when called by the AG as witnesses, and Don Jr., 45, also testified a second time as part of the defense case.
The family members testified that they were not involved in Trump’s annual financial statement, which the AG alleges Trump lied about his assets from 2011 to 2021.
Instead, they have blamed accountants and lawyers for any errors on the forms.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
