US Markets
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 7:21 pm EDT
Key Points
- Donald Trump has been barred from making a personal closing argument at his New York civil fraud trial due to his refusal to agree to limitations on what he could say, as communicated by Judge Arthur Engoron to Trump’s lawyer Chris Kise. The judge assumed Trump would not comply as there was no response from Kise regarding the imposed terms. Additionally, the judge rejected Trump’s request to postpone closing arguments following the death of his mother-in-law.
- The decision by Judge Engoron came after a series of contentious emails between him and Kise, where Trump’s plan to provide some of the defense’s closing arguments was discussed. The judge had set limitations on what Trump could say during the closing arguments, and Kise resisted these conditions in several emails, leading to the judge’s decision.
- Closing arguments for the New York civil fraud trial are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday. The trial involves accusations by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization, alleging the misstatement of real estate asset values to fraudulently inflate Trump’s net worth and obtain more favorable loans. James has requested a $370 million fine and a lifetime ban on Trump working in New York’s real estate industry, along with a ban on serving as an officer or director of a New York corporation.
Donald Trump has been informed by Judge Arthur Engoron that he is prohibited from delivering a personal closing argument at his New York civil fraud trial due to his refusal to agree to limitations on his statements. The judge, in a letter to Trump’s lawyer Chris Kise, stated that because there was no response from Kise agreeing to the terms imposed, it was assumed that Trump would not comply. The judge also rejected Trump’s request to postpone closing arguments by nearly three weeks following the death of his mother-in-law. This decision by Engoron followed a series of contentious emails between him and Kise regarding Trump’s plan to provide some of the defense’s closing arguments in Manhattan Supreme Court. The judge had set limitations on what Trump could say, but Kise resisted these conditions in several emails, leading to the judge’s decision. Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, accuses Trump, his two adult sons, and the Trump Organization of misstating real estate asset values to fraudulently inflate his net worth and obtain more favorable loans. James has requested a $370 million fine and a lifetime ban on Trump working in New York’s real estate industry, as well as a ban on serving as an officer or director of a New York corporation.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/10/trump-not-allowed-make-new-york-fraud-trial-closing-argument.html
