In an unprecedented decision, a New York judge recently declared that Donald Trump, former US president, and two of his children, Donald Jr and Eric Trump, were “responsible” for repeated financial fraud in the 2010s. The decision comes just before the start of the civil trial against the Trump Organization, the real estate empire founded by the Trump family.
According to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Donald Trump and his children inflated the value of the Trump Organization’s assets in order to obtain favorable loans from banks. Examples cited in the complaint include the overvaluation of Donald Trump’s triplex at Trump Tower in New York, as well as the overestimation of the value of various properties such as Seven Springs, Trump Park Avenue and Mar-a-Lago. .
The judge, in his decision, describes these actions as “fraud” and highlights the repeated nature of the violations of the law committed by Donald Trump and his children. This decision represents a major setback for the former US president, who is currently campaigning for the 2024 presidential election.
This affair, however, is only the beginning of legal troubles for Donald Trump. He is also being prosecuted in federal court for trying to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election, as well as in court in the state of Georgia for similar charges.
The judge’s decision makes it easier for the New York State Attorney General, who is seeking $250 million in fines and bans on running companies for Donald Trump and his close associates. The consequences of this civil trial could therefore be important for the future of the Trump Organization and for the political career of Donald Trump.
The former US president reacted to this decision on his social network Truth Social, saying that he has nothing to reproach himself for and calling the judge “hateful”. He also claims that his value is much higher than what is stated in his financial disclosures and that banks have never issued complaints about the loans he obtained.
This civil trial marks the start of a series of legal confrontations for Donald Trump. It remains to be seen what the outcome of these cases will be and what impact they will have on his future political career. One thing is certain, Trump’s name continues to make headlines and provoke strong reactions across the country. To be followed closely.