Former President Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba has said she “doesn’t have high hopes” ahead of the verdict in his $370 million fraud trial in New York.
Trump could receive millions of dollars in fines and other sanctions in Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $370 million and a ban on Trump and other defendants from doing business in the state.
James’ office has estimated that Trump exaggerated his wealth by as much as $3.6 billion, using the figures to obtain lower insurance premiums and favorable loan terms.
speaking to newsmax On Wednesday, before the verdict, Habba told the outlet: “If I could file the appeal now, I would, there will be no surprises.” It is very similar to what we have seen in New York.
Pictured: Former President Donald J. Trump, flanked by attorneys Christopher Kise (L) and Alina Habba (R), sit in court during closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil fraud trial.
Trump could receive millions of dollars in fines and other sanctions in Judge Arthur Engoron’s decision
Habba continued: ‘I will be loud and resonant right after we make the decision, I don’t have high hopes. I think there is some ethics left.
‘I hope Judge Engoron realizes this; Honestly, I’ve seen it over and over again.
‘I’ve been on trial for weeks and weeks in New York, the corruption runs deep. Frankly, the Trump derangement syndrome runs even deeper.
‘They cannot see clearly, they cannot apply the law to the facts. “There was absolutely no law violated.”
Judge Engoron already ruled that the former president inflated his wealth in financial statements that were provided to banks and insurers.
The judge will rule after listening to the testimony of 40 witnesses for two and a half months, among whom was the former president.
Trump’s lawyers have said they will appeal if Engoron rules against him.
The Republican presidential front-runner testified Nov. 6 that his financial statements actually understated his net worth and that banks did their own investigations and were happy with his business.
Judge Engoron, seen here, already ruled that the former president inflated his wealth in financial statements that were provided to banks and insurers.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $370 million and a ban on Trump and other defendants from doing business in the state.
During closing arguments last month, he denounced the case as a “fraud on me” and told Engoron he had done nothing wrong.
During that closing speech, Engoron interrupted his outburst and urged attorney Christopher Kise to “get his client under control” before Trump left the courtroom.
Trump then laid out all the problems with the case, claiming that the trial was unprecedented and was being used against him as part of a scheme by President Biden.
He also said presidents who do not have full immunity will be “ineffective” when asked if his lawyers argued he could avoid prosecution for assassinating a political rival.
‘My legal problems, every one of them, all of them (civil and criminal) are created by Joe Biden. Corrupt Joe Biden. This is something that has never happened in this country.
‘It is a pity. It is a witch hunt in the true sense of the word. “It is electoral interference.”
“It’s all a conspiracy to put Biden in office,” he added before sharing a report that AG James had visited the president at the White House “on numerous occasions.”
The decision will come three weeks after a federal jury in Manhattan ordered Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case.
E. Jean Carroll leaves federal court on Friday, January 26, 2024 in New York. The federal judge who presided over the jury trial that resulted in an $83 million award for Carrol.
It will also come a day after a judge ruled that Trump will face a criminal trial in a separate case in New York in which he is accused of falsifying business records.
Trump is alleged to have concealed money payments totaling $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for their alleged affair.
The 77-year-old will be the first former president to appear in a criminal trial when he faces the jury on March 25.
On Thursday, Trump insisted there is “no case” and said New York should focus on violent crime and the surge of immigrants rather than “made-up crimes.”
If Trump is convicted, it is unclear whether he will spend any time in jail, as the charges are Class E felonies, the lowest possible under New York state law.
There are also questions about where Trump could serve his sentence, as a conventional prison poses significant security risks.
Trump faces a third trial in Washington for attempting to subvert the election results, but the date has been postponed indefinitely while the Supreme Court considers whether he had presidential immunity.
The fourth criminal trial will take place in Florida in May and relates to Trump’s illegal retention of classified material after he left office in 2021.
Trump has denied wrongdoing in all cases.