Former US President Donald Trump wants to appear in person in a fraud trial against him in New York on Monday. “I’m going to court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation,” he wrote on Sunday evening (local time) on the online platform “Truth Social,” which he co-founded.
New York judge Arthur Engoron had already accused Trump, his sons and senior employees in a preliminary ruling last Tuesday of manipulating the goodwill of his Trump Organization for years. They are said to have tried to get more favorable conditions for loans and insurance contracts, which violates New York law.
Trump is not threatened with prison
The trial, which begins on Monday, is now about determining the exact possible penalties. The case brought by Attorney General James is a civil case and Trump is not threatened with prison. James wants to ensure that Trump has to pay 250 million US dollars (around 236 million euros) and is no longer allowed to do business in New York.
At stake for the ex-US president is, among other things, control over several properties in New York state. It is still unclear whether Trump could even be forced to sell some landmarks, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump denies all allegations. “THE ENTIRE CASE IS A FRAUD!!! See you in court – Monday morning,” he wrote on Truth Social. According to CNN, the trial was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. New York time (4 p.m. CEST). It could drag on for months.
