The lawsuit against the Trump family
The former president Donald Trump and his two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are facing a $250 million civil fraud trial in New York. The lawsuit was filed by the state attorney general Letitia James, who accused them of inflating the value of their real estate assets to obtain favorable terms from banks and insurers. The trial began on November 8, 2023, and is expected to last for three weeks.
The attorney general’s office claims that the Trumps misrepresented the financial status of their properties, such as Trump Tower, Trump International Hotel and Tower, and Seven Springs Estate, by exaggerating their income, occupancy, and potential buyers. The lawsuit also alleges that the Trumps inflated the value of their international licensing deals, which involved lending their name and brand to projects developed by others.
The Trumps have denied any wrongdoing and have called the lawsuit politically motivated. They have argued that they relied on the advice of their accountants and lawyers, and that the financial statements they provided were not audited or certified. They have also challenged the authority of the attorney general to bring the case, saying that it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Donald Trump Jr.’s testimony
Donald Trump Jr., the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, testified for the second time on Monday, November 13, 2023. He was the first witness called by the defense, after the prosecution rested its case last week. He was questioned by his father’s lawyer, Alan Futerfas, who tried to portray him as a minor player in the company, who had little involvement in the preparation of the financial statements.
Donald Trump Jr. admitted that he signed some of the financial statements, but said that he did not review them in detail or verify their accuracy. He said that he trusted the accounting firm that the company hired, Mazars USA, to do their job properly. He also said that he was not aware of any discrepancies or errors in the statements, and that he never intended to deceive anyone.
However, he also acknowledged that he made a “mistake” in one of the statements, regarding the international licensing deals. He said that he mistakenly included a project in India that was not finalized, and that he did not update the statement when the deal fell through. He said that he did not realize the mistake until he was deposed by the attorney general’s office in 2021. He said that he apologized for the error and corrected it in a later statement.
The cross-examination
Donald Trump Jr. was cross-examined by the attorney general’s lawyer, Matthew Colangelo, who tried to undermine his credibility and expose his contradictions. Colangelo pointed out that Donald Trump Jr. had given different answers in his previous deposition and in his testimony, and that he had changed his story several times. He also challenged his claim that he was not involved in the business decisions, and that he delegated everything to the accountants and lawyers.
Colangelo presented several emails and documents that showed that Donald Trump Jr. was actively involved in the negotiations and discussions of the international licensing deals, and that he had direct communication with the developers and the potential buyers. He also showed that Donald Trump Jr. had access to the financial information of the properties, and that he had participated in meetings and calls with the banks and insurers.
Colangelo asked Donald Trump Jr. why he did not check the accuracy of the statements before signing them, and why he did not ask any questions or raise any concerns. He also asked him why he did not disclose the mistake he made in the statement, and why he waited until he was confronted by the attorney general’s office to correct it. He suggested that Donald Trump Jr. was not telling the truth, and that he was trying to cover up the fraud.
The impact of the testimony
Donald Trump Jr.’s testimony was seen as a crucial moment in the trial, as he was the first member of the Trump family to take the stand. His testimony could have a significant impact on the outcome of the case, as well as on the public perception of the Trumps and their business empire. Some legal experts said that his testimony could help the defense, by showing that he was not aware of the fraud and that he admitted his mistake. Others said that his testimony could hurt the defense, by showing that he was inconsistent and evasive, and that he was involved in the fraud.
The trial is expected to resume on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, with more witnesses from the defense. The former president Donald Trump is also expected to testify again, after he gave a combative and defiant testimony last week. The jury, composed of six men and six women, will have to decide whether the Trumps committed fraud, and if so, how much they should pay in damages.
