First broadcast on FOX: A New York court appointed a new judge, likely to replace Judge Arthur Engoron, to preside over the civil fraud case against President-elect Trump brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. put him back on the bench. A source close to Trump’s legal team spoke to Fox News Digital about the incident.
The case and trial was presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron, who has been accused by Trump supporters of acting with bias against the president-elect, his family and his company.
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Sources told Fox News Digital that the court sent an automated email Thursday around 12:45 p.m. assigning New York County Supreme Court Judge Judith McMahon (Staten Island) to the case. notified.
But several hours later, at 4:12 p.m., lawyers in the case received an automated message from the court system informing them that Judge Arthur Engoron would be taking the case again.
A source close to Trump’s legal team told Fox News Digital that they are concerned about the bickering between the two sides.
Judge Arthur Engoron presides over the Trump Organization’s civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on November 13, 2023 in New York City. (Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The case is on appeal. After the Court of Appeals issued its decision, the case was sent back to a lower court, with Mr. Engoron presiding over the trial.
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After a weeks-long non-jury civil fraud trial that began in October 2023, Engoron was accused of “persistent and repeated fraud”, “falsification of business records” and “false financial statements” by Trump and the defendants last year. The court ruled that the company was responsible for the publication of “Conspiracy to falsify false financial statements,” “Insurance fraud,” and “Conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.”
President-elect Trump (left) and New York Judge Arthur Engoron (FOX News)
But before the trial could begin, Engoron obtained summary judgment against Trump, and the subsequent trial turned into a lawsuit over the payment of the fine.
Notably, during this litigation, Engoron allowed President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago to be valued at $18 million. President Trump disputed that valuation, saying the property was worth 50 to 100 times more than Engoron’s estimate. And real estate insiders and developers claimed the property could be listed for more than $300 million.
In his ruling in the case last year, Mr. Engoron attacked Mr. Trump, saying, “He rarely answered questions and frequently interjected long, unrelated speeches on issues far beyond the scope of the trial.” criticized for participating in the About the trial. ”
Former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida (Charles Traynor Jr./Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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“His refusal to answer questions directly, or in some cases not at all, seriously damaged his credibility,” Engoron wrote.
During the trial late last year, Mr. Trump, his allies, Republicans and legal experts repeatedly criticized Mr. Engoron, who has donated almost exclusively to Democrats throughout his career, over his handling of the case.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on September 21, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Britteny Newman, File)
Mr Engoron is also reportedly under investigation for unsolicited advice he received in connection with the case.
Trump and his family have denied any wrongdoing, and the former president said his assets were undervalued. Trump’s lawyers argued that there was a disclaimer in his financial statements and made it clear that banks should conduct their own evaluations.
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Trump has appealed the $454 million judgment. An appeal is pending in the New York Court of Appeals.
New York Court of Appeals judges last year appeared open to potentially reversing or reducing a $454 million civil fraud judgment.
President-elect Trump speaks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The president’s lawyers called Engoron’s sentence “draconian, illegal and unconstitutional.”
D. John Sauer, the Trump lawyer who will be the next attorney general, argued that James’ lawsuit is an expansive interpretation of the New York Consumer Protection Act, arguing that Mr. “There are no people involved,” he said, “and there have been no complaints.”
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Sauer said the case “contains clear violations of the statute of limitations,” pointing to deals used in non-jury civil fraud trials dating back more than a decade.
Sauer said that if the ruling is not overturned, “people will not be able to conduct their real estate business without fear.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect new information.
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
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