Former president Donald Trump’s civil fraud case in New York wrapped up on Thursday with closing arguments heard from both the defense and the prosecution.
The case revolved around allegations from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office that Trump and his business committed fraud by overvaluing his assets to investors to obtain better terms on loans and insurance.
New York District Judge Arthur Engoron previously ruled that Trump did commit fraud, and the remainder of the trial has focused on related allegations, including claims of conspiracy, falsifying business records, and insurance fraud, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The morning began with a bomb threat directed at Engoron’s Long Island home, prompting police cars and a bomb squad to rush to the scene, as reported by The Daily Beast. It appears that no bomb was found in the home.
A spokesperson for the Nassau County Police Department told The Daily Beast that an “active investigation” was underway but did not give further details.
The threat was perceived by some onlookers as an attempt to delay the trial’s closing arguments, according to the news outlet. However, the trial proceeded as scheduled, with the court providing additional security for Judge Engoron.
Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, began the closing arguments for the trial and said that James manufactured the case “to pursue a political agenda.”
“There is no testimony from anyone as to how the defendant’s conduct allegedly harmed the marketplace,” he explained, per ABC News.
“There are few people in the world who have succeeded in the real estate industry this well, that have been this successful.”
Engoron allowed the former president to speak at the end of the defendants’ closing arguments, during which he reassured everyone that he was innocent.
“Well, I think, your honor, this case goes outside the facts,” said Trump, per ABC News. “The financial statements were perfect. The banks got all their money back. They were as happy as can be.”
Assistant Attorney General Kevin Wallace then spoke on behalf of the prosecutors, stating that the court is simply “hearing the same arguments from the defendants” that were given before Engoron’s earlier ruling, according to CNN.
Andrew Amer, a lawyer for the New York attorney general, also spoke during the closing arguments and said that Trump’s former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, knew about the potential fraud being committed.
“He knew he was using an input that was absolutely wrong and tripled the size, yet he used it anyway,” he explained, per CNN. “That screams as an intent to defraud.”
James told reporters after the closing arguments were finished that the trial has nothing to do with politics, adding she is confident that “justice will be done” now that closing arguments are completed.
“This case has never been about politics, personal vendetta, or about name calling. This case is about the facts and the law, and Mr. Donald Trump violated the law,” she said, per ABC News.
“No matter how powerful you are, no matter how rich you are, no one is above the law.”
Judge Engoron stated that he hopes to issue a ruling in the case by the end of the month, per CNN.
