Legal Storm Brews For Trump: Former President To Face NY Trial On Monday Over Fraud Claims

Former President Donald Trump is set to go to trial in New York on Monday.

What Happened: The upcoming trial comes on the heels of a ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron, which could spell trouble for Trump's family business empire.

Engoron's verdict found Trump responsible for extensive fraud, leading to the revocation of licenses for several of Trump's properties, including Trump Tower and the Trump International Hotel.

The trial will determine the penalties Trump faces. Politico reported that Attorney General Letitia James is pushing for a hefty $250 million fine and a potential prohibition on Trump's business operations in the state.

The sweeping nature of Engoron's pretrial decision reportedly caught many off guard, including Trump and his legal representatives. Reacting to the ruling, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, labeling the judge as "unhinged" and a "political hack."

Also Read: Trump's Niece Blasts Former President, Says This Is The 'Worst Thing' That Could Happen To Him

Trump has been proactive in challenging Engoron's decisions. He initiated a lawsuit against the judge, alleging non-compliance with a prior appellate court verdict.

According to the report, Trump believes the earlier decision curtails the breadth of the case against him. However, the former president's efforts to postpone the trial have been rebuffed by both Engoron and an appellate court.

Engoron's brushes with Trump aren't new, according to Politico. During a prior probe by the attorney general, Engoron penalized Trump for defying a subpoena, imposing a daily fine that eventually totaled $110,000.

Engoron's recent ruling found that Trump had exaggerated his net worth between 2014 and 2021. Trump, his business, his family and his associates were accused of inflating figures to secure favorable financial deals, leading to insurance fraud and tax benefits.

This trial is merely the tip of the iceberg for Trump, who faces many legal challenges in the coming months. They range from defamation lawsuits to charges related to the 2020 election and mishandling classified information.

Now Read: Trump Faces Possible Gag Order Over Controversial Attack On Gen. Mark Milley

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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