A New York state judge is expected to rule on Friday in a $370 million civil fraud case against former U.S. President Donald Trump. The case alleges that Trump inflated his net worth to deceive bankers into giving him better loan terms. The ruling, anticipated after a contentious three-month trial in Manhattan, could have significant implications for Trump's real estate empire as he pursues the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the lawsuit, accusing Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net worth by as much as $3.6 billion a year over a decade. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the case as a political vendetta by James, an elected Democrat. Justice Arthur Engoron previously ruled in September that Trump had engaged in fraud, ordering a partial dissolution of his business empire, a decision Trump is currently appealing.
In addition to potential monetary penalties, James seeks to permanently ban Trump from New York's real estate industry and significantly restrict his business activities in the state. She also aims to impose five-year industry bans on Trump's adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, who are co-defendants in the case. Trump, despite these legal challenges, remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. He has used his court appearances as impromptu campaign stops, delivering incendiary remarks to reporters and claiming that his enemies are using the courts to prevent him from retaking the White House.
Alongside the civil case, Trump faces four criminal cases, including one in New York related to hush money payments to a porn star before the 2016 election. Another case in Florida involves handling classified documents upon leaving office, while charges in Washington and Georgia are related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four cases.
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