Trump Civil Trial

A civil trial against former President Donald Trump begins today in New York City, with a judge set to determine penalties after determining he and his company committed fraud. State court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled last week the Trump Organization significantly inflated the value of its real estate assets to obtain better terms on financial deals.

The proceedings do not involve a jury. Engoron will be the sole arbiter over the fraud claims brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (a jury may later consider additional civil claims in the case). James is seeking up to $250M in penalties, an order barring Trump from leading a business in the state, and the revocation of the Trump Organization’s business license in New York for five years.

Trump has broadly denied the charges, while his lawyers argued there was no evidence of default or complaints by lenders regarding any of the loans in question. The former president has also reportedly been listed as a witness and has suggested he may attend the proceedings in person.