/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/VI3RLSHJWZNRRDJX27R5GWA6KE.jpg "Appeals court won’t postpone Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, limiting delay to 13 words.")
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A New York appeals court has denied former President Donald Trump’s request to delay his upcoming civil fraud trial. Trump had accused the trial judge of refusing to dismiss most of the case. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 2nd. The court’s decision comes after state court Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his family business had fraudulently overvalued his assets and net worth in order to secure better loan and insurance terms. The lawsuit was filed in September 2022 by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking at least $250 million in penalties and a ban against Trump and his sons from running businesses in New York.
In his ruling, Justice Engoron found evidence that Trump had overstated his fortune by as much as $2.2 billion. He also ordered the cancellation of certificates that allow some of Trump’s businesses to operate. This could potentially force Trump to relinquish control of properties including Manhattan’s Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses, and his family estate in suburban New York. Both Trump and his adult sons, as well as former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg and controller Jeffrey McConney, appear on the lists of potential witnesses for the trial.
Despite facing multiple legal challenges, Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The civil fraud trial is separate from the four criminal indictments Trump faces, including for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump has maintained his innocence in all cases and has characterized the litigation against him as politically motivated. Attorney General Letitia James is a Democrat, while Trump is a Republican.
In summary, the New York appeals court has rejected Donald Trump’s request to postpone his civil fraud trial, which is set to begin on October 2nd. The trial follows a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James in September 2022, accusing Trump and his family business of fraudulent overvaluation of assets and net worth. The court found evidence supporting these claims, ordering the cancellation of certificates that allow some of Trump’s businesses to operate. If upheld, this ruling could result in Trump losing control of several properties. Despite his legal troubles, Trump remains a popular candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.