Donald Trump’s legal team concluded their defense on Tuesday and once again sought an immediate termination of the ongoing New York civil fraud trial, posing a threat to the former president’s real estate empire. However, Judge Arthur Engoron rebuffed the attempt, stating that he would not grant such a request. Trump's lawyers, who faced a similar setback last month, asked Judge Engoron to curtail the trial and deliver a verdict clearing Trump, his company, and top executives of any wrongdoing. Despite this renewed effort, the judge reiterated his belief that state lawyers had fulfilled their legal obligation to see the three-month trial through to its end.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused Trump of deceiving banks, insurers, and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements used to secure loans and make deals. While Engoron has already ruled on the top claim of fraud, Trump’s lawyers, on the day following Trump's decision not to return to the witness stand, have once again sought a directed verdict.
Trump attorney Christopher Kise mentioned that the defense plans to submit detailed paperwork supporting their request for a directed verdict by the end of the week. Judge Engoron, while acknowledging that it may be a futile effort, allowed the submission but cautioned that he might not entertain or even read the written request. State lawyer Kevin Wallace criticized the bid, considering it a "colossal waste of resources."
Closing arguments are scheduled for January 11, just four days before the Iowa caucuses initiate the presidential primary season. Engoron, acting as the decision-maker in place of a jury, stated his intention to deliver a verdict by the end of January.
Trump's legal team initially sought a directed verdict on November 9 after the state lawyers rested their case. While Engoron took the request "under advisement," he ordered the trial to proceed as scheduled. Later, he rejected the defense's plea for a mistrial, refuting claims of political bias and harm to Trump’s right to a fair trial.
On Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers made another attempt to cut short the trial after concluding their case with a final witness—an accounting expert praised by Trump. The defense's move was countered as state lawyers began calling rebuttal witnesses. The trial's testimony phase is expected to conclude on Wednesday.
The case involved six weeks of testimony from about two dozen witnesses, including Trump and his family members, accountants, and Trump Organization executives. Following the defense's presentation, including real estate developers, brokers, and accounting experts, the trial moved toward its conclusion. The defense rested after the testimony of New York University accounting professor Eli Bartov, who argued against the state's case, stating that Trump's financial statements "were not materially misstated." In cross-examination, state lawyer Louis Solomon sought to challenge Bartov's claims regarding Trump's major lender Deutsche Bank's reliance on his financial statements. The trial continues to unfold, with closing arguments on the horizon.
