Trump tangles with judge as New York civil fraud trial wraps up

On Thursday, Donald Trump accused the New York judge overseeing his civil fraud trial of having a personal agenda, prompting the judge to instruct his lawyer to control him. The trial, which has spanned several months and poses a potential threat to Trump's business empire, reached its conclusion in Manhattan. The case revolves around allegations that Trump's company inflated his net worth to secure more favourable financing terms. Justice Arthur Engoron, presiding over the trial without a jury, aims to issue a ruling by January 31.

In a tense final day of proceedings, Trump clashed once again with Judge Engoron, who had earlier determined that Trump's company had manipulated financial information. Trump, denying any wrongdoing, accused the judge of having a biased agenda and reiterated claims of political persecution. The trial involves accusations by New York Attorney General Letitia James that Trump inflated his net worth to deceive banks, with the prosecution seeking nearly $370 million in damages and a lifetime ban on Trump from the state's real estate industry.

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During closing arguments, Kevin Wallace from the Attorney General's office asserted that fraud was integral to the Trump Organization's operations, alleging false financial statements from 2011 to 2021. The state's legal team contends that Trump was directly responsible for the misleading financial statements.

Despite facing these legal challenges, Trump, a frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, maintains a strong position in the party. The trial concluded amid heightened security, following reports of a bomb threat at Judge Engoron's home. Trump's lawyer was instructed by the judge to control his client during the proceedings, and Trump's legal team argued that the alleged financial manipulation had no adverse effects.

The judge had previously found Trump liable for fraud in September, focusing the trial on determining the extent of financial restitution. Trump has appealed this decision and is likely to appeal any adverse verdict. The trial, characterized by security concerns and clashes between Trump and the judge, is one of multiple legal challenges facing the former president, who has pleaded not guilty in four criminal prosecutions related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

न्यूयॉर्क सिविल धोखाधड़ी मुकदमा ख़त्म होने पर ट्रम्प जज से उलझे