A business fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump was “manufactured to pursue a political agenda” and New York Attorney General Letitia James failed to prove the 2024 GOP front-runner did anything wrong, a defense lawyer said Thursday in closing arguments.
Christopher Kise delivered the summation after Judge Arthur Engoron — who faced what was probably a fake bomb threat at his home earlier in the day — denied Mr. Trump’s attempt to offer some of the closing points personally against claims he submitted false financial statements to gain leverage in real estate transactions.
“Forty-four days of trial — not one witness came into this courtroom, your honor, and said there was fraud,” Mr. Kise said before the state took its turn later in the day.
The closing arguments are capping an 11-week trial that featured constant sniping between Mr. Trump and Ms. James.
Mr. Trump also lashed out at Judge Engoron and his court clerk on social media, labeling them biased and sparking a gag order from the court.
Police and bomb squad personnel responded to the judge’s residence in Nassau County, New York, though it appeared to be swatting, in which a false report was made to draw an emergency response.
The court enhanced its security measures around Judge Engoron ahead of summations out of “an abundance of caution,” New York court spokesman Al Baker said.
Ms. James alleges Mr. Trump, his eldest sons and their real estate company submitted fraudulent financial statements to gain favorable terms on loans and insurance.
She seeks $370 million in damages and wants to prohibit the Trumps from doing business in New York.
Mr. Trump said he followed standard real estate practices and that banks were happy to lend to him. He also said his statements had a disclaimer on them.
“This entire case is a manufactured claim to pursue a political agenda,” Mr. Kise said in the closing argument. “It has been press releases and posturing, but no evidence.”
The ex-president was unable to speak in court Thursday because Judge Engoron said the defense team refused to agree to limits on what Mr. Trump could say.
Judge Engoron told attorneys he didn’t want Mr. Trump to impugn court staff or turn the closing argument into a campaign speech.
Mr. Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president. He’s splitting his time between the campaign trail and courthouses up and down the East Coast before the Iowa caucuses kick off primary season Monday.
“I want to speak, I want to make the summation,” Mr. Trump said Thursday outside the Manhattan courtroom. “At this moment, the judge is not letting me make the summation because I’ll bring up things he doesn’t want to hear.”
Mr. Trump faces long odds against Judge Engoron, who will rule on the case instead of a jury.
Before the trial, the judge found some fraud occurred, handing Ms. James an early victory on one of her claims before the trial on remaining claims and potential damages.
The judge has said parts of Mr. Trump‘s submissions to lenders were blatantly false and couldn’t be chalked up to the nuances of real estate.
• This report is based in part on wire reports.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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