Former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York will not be delayed, according to reports.
The Manhattan appeals court denied Trump's lawyers who had applied to throw out the case.
Appeals court will not delay Donald Trump civil fraud trialhttps://t.co/u3WyUykczb
— MSN (@MSN) September 28, 2023
"The panel ruled two days after state court Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his family business persistently and fraudulently overvalued his assets and net worth in order to obtain better terms on loans and insurance," Reuters reported.
"Trump had been sued in September 2022 by state Attorney General Letitia James, who accused him, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others of 'staggering fraud' in how they valued properties," it continued.
A New York appeals court refused to delay Donald Trump's scheduled Monday civil fraud trial, after the former U.S. president accused the trial judge of wrongly refusing to throw out most of the case. https://t.co/0cHD8LZ09c
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 28, 2023
"James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties, a ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization," Newsmax reported.
"Trump sued Engoron on Sept. 14, seeking to delay the trial and accusing him of ignoring a June ruling from the appeals court that, according to Trump, required gutting James' case because many of her claims were too old," it added.
BREAKING: An appeals court has rejected Donald Trump's bid to delay a civil trial in a lawsuit brought by New York's attorney general, allowing the case to start Monday as scheduled. https://t.co/SwlHjgG4x0
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 28, 2023
"Trump is listed among dozens of possible witnesses, setting up a potential courtroom showdown with the judge. The fraud ruling Tuesday threatens to upend his real estate empire and force him to give up prized New York properties such as Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate," the Associated Press reported.
"Trump has denied wrongdoing, arguing that some of his assets are worth far more than what’s listed on annual financial statements that Engoron said he used to secure loans and make deals. Trump has argued that the statements have disclaimers that absolve him of liability," it noted.
The former president also plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the case against him is a "political witch hunt."
The case could also force three of Trump's children to testify in the case, adding a new twist to the high-profile drama.
The situation has not stopped Trump's popularity in recent polls, however, as he remains high above other GOP candidates in his effort to defeat President Joe Biden next year.
