Trump Cautioned By Judge During Civil Fraud Trial: Tensions Rise As Key Witness Testifies

In the unfolding civil fraud trial against former U.S. President Donald Trump, a New York judge has admonished the erstwhile U.S. leader and his team to maintain decorum during the proceedings.

What Happened: According to a report by PBS NewsHour, the admonition was issued after a visibly agitated Trump communicated loudly with his legal team while a key witness, real estate appraiser Doug Larson, was giving his testimony against Trump. The instruction was given by Judge Arthur Engoron in response to a plea from state lawyer Kevin Wallace to have the defense “stop commenting during the witness’ testimony.”

Following Wallace’s request, the Judge asked everyone to keep their voices down, especially if it’s “meant to influence the testimony,” according to the report.

The trial, which Trump, the 2024 Republican front-runner, has been actively attending, carries potential repercussions for his real estate dealings and his prestige as a successful businessman. Judge Engoron had previously determined that Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, had committed fraud by repeatedly overvaluing his assets and net worth on annual financial statements.

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A tense argument ensued when Trump’s attorneys attempted to discredit the state’s allegations during Larson’s testimony. Trump’s lawyer Christopher Kise insinuated that Larson was at risk of perjury, a remark state lawyer Colleen Faherty labelled as “witness intimidation.”

The lawsuit, brought forward by New York Attorney General Letitia James, includes six charges that were not addressed in Engoron's pretrial ruling. These charges encompass conspiracy, insurance fraud, and falsifying business records. As per state law, the verdict will be delivered by Engoron, as this type of lawsuit does not allow for a jury.

Why It Matters: This is not the first time the judge has had to intervene in the trial. As previously reported by Benzinga, earlier in the trial, Judge Engoron issued a gag order on Trump and his associates following Trump's social media criticisms of the judge's chief law clerk. The judge had warned of "serious sanctions" for any breaches of the gag order, including fines or contempt of court charges.

Furthermore, the fate of Trump’s business empire in this high-stakes lawsuit rests in the hands of Judge Engoron. As per another Benzinga article, the seasoned judge, known for his diverse background and approachable demeanor, has been presiding over the case with a firm hand.

Read Next: Trump Reenters Courtroom Tuesday For Civil Fraud Case; Calls Judge, Attorney General ‘Frauds’