New York State Judge Arthur Engoron has set October 2, 2023 for the start of the trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump and three of his children–Donald, Eric and Ivanka–for alleged tax crimes committed through Trump Organization companies.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $250 million lawsuit against Trump and his family for allegedly being involved in a fraud that lasted more than a decade and from which the former president himself profited.
According to the investigation by the prosecution team led by James, Trump gave erroneous or outright fraudulent information about the status of more than 200 assets, including his lavish Mar-a-Lago mansion, hotels and golf courses.
The genesis of the lawsuit dates back to March 2019, when testimony before the U.S. Congress by former Trump Organization lawyer Michael Cohen raised questions about his «potentially fraudulent financial status.»
The magistrate has noted that the date is subject to change if so notified by the lawyers for the prosecution and the defense. For now, the Trump’s legal team has assured that all their clients «will be there» on the appointed day.
The judge will have live testimony from those involved, which means that Judge Engoron has rejected the prosecution’s request for the trial to be pre-filed under affidavits. It is not yet known whether there will be a people’s jury, or whether he will be the only listener.
