At the conclusion of his 11-week civil fraud trial in New York on Thursday, Donald Trump accused Judge Arthur Engeron of having his “own agenda,” as he denied wrongdoing and repeated claims of political persecution. “This is a fraud on me,” the former president added. “What’s happened here, sir, is a fraud on me.” Mr. Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and other Trump Organization executives are accused by New York Attorney General Letitia James of engaging in a decade-long scheme in which they used “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” to inflate Trump’s net worth in order get more favorable loan terms. In closing arguments, Trump lawyer Chris Kise said that any alleged manipulation was harmless, and that banks and insurers would have been eager to do business with Mr. Trump even if his net worth was far lower. “He’s a whale client,” he added. Clifford Robert, a lawyer for Mr. Trump’s sons, told the judge there was no evidence they were significantly involved in the financial statements. “This is a press release wrapped up in a lawsuit,” he argued. Judge Engeron said he plans to issue an opinion in the case by January 31st. The judge has already found Mr. Trump liable for fraud in September, leaving the trial to focus largely on how much money he should surrender as ill-gotten gains. Mr. Trump has appealed that order and is almost certain to appeal any verdict against him.
