Appeal Court Rejects Trump's Plea To Delay Trial In Fraud Lawsuit

On Thursday, an appeals court dealt a blow to former US President Donald Trump's efforts to postpone a civil trial in a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general. The ruling paves the way for the case to move forward, following a recent judgment by a judge who found the former president guilty of years of fraudulent activities and ordered the forfeiture of some of his businesses as a penalty. The decision, issued by the state's intermediate appellate court, now allows Judge Arthur Engoron to preside over a non-jury trial scheduled to commence on October 2nd in Manhattan. This trial revolves around New York Attorney General Letitia James' civil lawsuit against Trump. Among the many potential witnesses, Donald Trump himself is listed, setting the stage for a potential courtroom confrontation with the presiding judge. The fraud verdict delivered on Tuesday has the potential to disrupt Trump's vast real estate holdings and could compel him to relinquish prized New York properties, including Trump Tower, a prominent Wall Street office building, golf courses, and a luxurious suburban estate. Throughout the proceedings, Trump has staunchly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that some of his assets are undervalued compared to their worth as stated in annual financial reports. Judge Engoron contended that Trump had employed these statements to secure loans and negotiate business deals. Trump's legal team has argued that the financial statements include disclaimers that absolve him of any liability. They have also announced their intention to appeal the recent decision, setting the stage for a continued legal battle.