A New York judge ruled that Donald Trump committed repeated acts of fraud for years in the state attorney general’s $250 million lawsuit against the former president.
The trial is set to begin on October 2 and according to the ruling, Trump lied to banks and insurers by both overvaluing and undervaluing his assets to benefit him while exaggerating his net worth.
Judge Arthur Engoron said Trump lied multiple times on his financial statements and was able to get favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums because of misleading statements.
“A discrepancy of this order of magnitude, by a real estate developer sizing up his own living space of decades, can only be considered fraud,” the judge wrote.
The judge found Trump, his sons Don Jr. and Eric, and their companies liable for fraud.
The judge also denied Trump’s request for summary judgment arguing that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit should be dismissed.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and insisted the charges are a “witch hunt” against him.
