According to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter, it is anticipated that former President Donald Trump will be present at the commencement of his civil fraud trial in New York on Monday.

Opening statements are set to commence at 10 a.m. on Monday in the case filed last September by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In this lawsuit, Trump, along with his eldest sons and his family business, is accused of exaggerating his net worth by over $2 billion by inflating the value of his real estate holdings.

The attorney general asserts that these inflated valuations led lenders and insurers to offer Trump more favorable terms than he would have otherwise received, ABC News reported.

In the previous week, the presiding judge, Arthur Engoron, approved the state’s request for partial summary judgment, effectively addressing the core of the case.

The judge found “conclusive evidence” that Trump and the other defendants “overvalued the assets reported in the statements of financial condition between 17.27-38.51%; this amounts to a discrepancy of between $812 million and $2.2 billion.” resulting in a discrepancy ranging from $812 million to $2.2 billion.

The upcoming bench trial will assist Judge Engoron in determining the extent of monetary penalties that Trump should be liable for. The state has requested approximately $250 million in penalties.

While Trump will not have a speaking role on Monday, it is anticipated that he will return to the courthouse in lower Manhattan towards the conclusion of the state’s presentation of evidence, as indicated by court records, where he is expected to be called as a witness.

Written by staff