Trump and his sons are expected to testify in the civil case regarding the alleged exaggeration of business assets.
Former President Donald Trump, along with his two adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, are slated to testify next week in the $250 million civil fraud trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The case alleges that Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, have inflated the value of their assets for years.
In court filings made Thursday, both Trump and his sons were named as witnesses. The trial is centered around allegations of fraudulent business practices, and Trump’s sons, who are senior executives at the Trump Organization, will be questioned about their involvement in the company’s operations and financial reporting.
Additionally, Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO of the Trump Organization, who pleaded guilty to running a 15-year tax fraud scheme, is expected to testify. Weisselberg’s testimony is crucial, as he provided key information in the company’s criminal trial last year, where the company was convicted and fined $1.6 million.
Also listed as witnesses are Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, and former personal attorney Michael Cohen. Ivanka, who once served as an executive at the Trump Organization, had originally been named a defendant, but a state appeals court dismissed the claims against her due to the statute of limitations.
The trial will be presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron, who has already ruled that Trump engaged in multiple acts of fraud over several years. Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Christopher Kise, plans to appeal this decision, calling it “outrageous.”
Trump himself has criticized the presiding judge, calling him “Trump hating” and accusing him of violating his civil rights. As the trial moves forward, the testimony of Trump and his family members will be central in determining the outcomes of the allegations and the significant financial penalties that could follow.