Trump to confront fraud allegations in New York court hearing

Former President Donald Trump has announced his appearance in a New York court on Monday as he prepares to confront what he claims is a baseless accusation of fraudulently inflating property and asset values.

Taking to his Truth Social account, he wrote, “I’m going to court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation.”

In his social media post, Trump strongly criticised New York State Attorney General Letitia James and the presiding judge, referring to the case as a “sham” and characterising the judge as “unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his pursuit of me.”

Last week, New York State Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump and his family business had fraudulently exaggerated the worth of their properties and assets to serve their business interests.

Meanwhile, the former US President along with the other defendants, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Trump’s social media message read, “He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at $18 million, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are fraudulent in pursuit of election interference, and worse.

“THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!! See you in court Monday morning,” with reference to both the judge and the trial.

Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in September 2022 alleging “staggering fraud” in the valuation of assets by Donald Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organisation, and others.

James is requesting at least $250 million in fines, a five-year commercial real estate ban on Trump and the Trump Organisation, and a ban on Trump and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, from operating enterprises in New York.

It’s crucial to stress that this civil fraud trial has nothing to do with the four active criminal allegations against Trump, including those stemming from his alleged attempts to rig the 2020 presidential election.