Former prosecutor Charles Coleman Jr. praised Judge Arthur Engoron’s recent ruling in the civil fraud case against Donald Trump, describing it as a ‘brilliant’ strategy.
A ‘Brilliant’ Turn in Trump’s Case
On Thursday, both parties presented their closing arguments in the civil fraud case. Initially barred from speaking, Trump was later allowed to do so following the intervention of his lawyer, Christopher Kise.
Brilliant or Risky?
On MSNBC’s ‘The Saturday Show with Jonathan Capehart,’ Charles Coleman Jr., a former Brooklyn district attorney’s office prosecutor and civil rights attorney, praised Judge Engoron’s decision to allow Trump to speak in court on Thursday.
Possible Trap for Trump
Coleman Jr. remarked, “What Judge Engoron did in terms of letting [Trump] have a certain amount of space to speak in court was brilliant because he gave him the space to hang himself, and that’s what he did.”
Avoiding Accountability?
“That’s ultimately what Donald Trump does, and it was smart of Judge Engoron to do that because, in the long run, it’s going to benefit the court…I think the judge understands that Donald Trump is going to do whatever he can to avoid accountability for as long as he can. And any issue that you create that creates the opportunity for appeal, Donald Trump’s going to seize on it,” he added.
Preventing Future Appeals
The former prosecutor believes that Judge Engoron’s decision to let Trump speak in court cleverly negates any future claims by Trump that he was denied a voice. He argues that this move ensures any appeals down the line will be resolved quickly.
A $370 Million Battle
The lawsuit, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, targets Trump, his adult sons, and the Trump Organization for $370 million. This legal action accuses them of exaggerating Trump’s net worth and asset values by billions from 2011 to 2021, aiming to clinch better deals and loans.
The original claim sought $250 million.
Financial Deceptions?
The legal team stated, “The conclusion that defendants intended to defraud when preparing and certifying Trump’s [financial statements] is inescapable; the myriad deceptive schemes they employed to inflate asset values and conceal facts were so outrageous that they belie innocent explanation.”
Fraud Claims
They continued, “Moreover, direct evidence from multiple witnesses establishes Trump made known his desired target net worth each year prior to assuming public office in 2017, which his CFO and Controller then dutifully set out to hit by reverse-engineering the asset values in the [financial statements], a practice that continued under the leadership of Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. as co-CEOs of (The Trump Organization).”
Legal or Political Fight?
In their closing briefs, the defense attorneys for Donald Trump and his sons argued that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that they had direct knowledge or involvement in drafting the annual financial statements outlining Trump’s net worth.
Trump Defense Speaks
The defense stated, “[Not] a single witness has ever testified that either Donald Trump, Jr. or Eric Trump had anything more than a peripheral knowledge or involvement in the creation, preparation, or use of any of the [financial statements] which are at the center of this action.”
Political Motives in Play?
The Trump family, dismissing all claims against them, also argued that the case is politically motivated and an attempt to undermine Trump’s potential 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump Slams Trial as ‘Political Witch Hunt’
Donald Trump vehemently criticized the legal proceedings, labeling them a ‘political witch hunt’ and arguing for compensation for the damage inflicted on his company.
‘No Documents, Nothing!’
“They have no documents—they have nothing!” he stated, as MSNBC correspondent Lisa Rubin noted on X. “I am an innocent man. I have been politically persecuted…This statute is vicious.”
Turning Point
In a significant turn in September 2023, Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over the case, found Donald Trump and co-defendants culpable of fraud. The case’s focus has shifted to the severity of the penalties they will face.
Judge to Decide
Engoron is set to decide on the damages owed and might permanently prohibit Trump and his associates from conducting business in New York, echoing Attorney General Letitia James’s request.
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