Former President Donald Trump has announced he will no longer testify in his civil fraud trial in New York, a case at the core of the Trump Organization. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit seeking $250 million in damages and aiming to prevent Trump from conducting business in the state.
Allegations suggest the Trump Organization misled lenders, insurers, and tax authorities by inflating property values with misleading appraisals. Initially expected to testify to defend against these claims, Trump reversed this decision via his Truth Social app, stating he would not appear for testimony on Monday.
His attorney cited previous testimony and that of other witnesses as sufficient defense, claiming no valid reason for Trump's return to the stand. Attorney General James asserted that Trump's prior testimony combined with evidence presented in the case already highlighted years of financial fraud and unjust enrichment, irrespective of his potential testimony on Monday.
The trial is nearing conclusion after 11 weeks, with a verdict anticipated in early next year.
Key Points:
1. Former President Donald Trump has announced that he won't be testifying in his civil fraud trial in New York, which targets the Trump Organization, his former real estate empire.
2. New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the lawsuit, seeks $250 million in damages and aims to restrict Trump from conducting business in the state. The case alleges deception involving property valuations that misled lenders, insurers, and tax authorities.
3. Trump's expected testimony to defend against the allegations was canceled abruptly, as confirmed in his post on the Truth Social app, stating he wouldn't testify on Monday.
4. Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, mentioned that prior testimonies, including Trump's, along with other witnesses, provided sufficient grounds for their defense, negating the necessity for Trump's further appearance.
5. The trial, spanning 11 weeks of testimony, is reaching its conclusion this week, with a verdict not anticipated until early next year.
6. Attorney General James emphasized that despite Trump's decision not to testify, the case has already established evidence of financial fraud and unjust enrichment, regardless of attempts to divert attention from the facts.
7. Trump's absence from testifying doesn't halt the ongoing claims made against him, as Attorney General James maintains confidence in the evidence presented thus far.
8. The decision not to testify marks a pivotal moment in the trial, which has focused on allegations of inflated property valuations by the Trump Organization.
9. Trump's announcement not to appear in court on Monday adds a new dimension to the case's trajectory, potentially influencing the final verdict.
10. Both parties' statements reflect a firm stance on the case's progress and outcome, with Attorney General James highlighting the already established evidence while Trump's camp insists that prior testimonies substantiate their defense.
(With Agency Inputs)
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