LIVE UPDATES
Despite the presidential bid of Former US president, Donald Trump, he is set to face a twin legal crisis on Monday in New York.
The legal woes might trigger possible seizure of his storied properties over a massive fine as he separately fights to delay a criminal trial even further.
The 77-year-old real estate magnate, who has once again clinched the Republican nomination despite facing a raft of legal charges, has already been hit by heavy fines in two civil cases.
In his case over business fraud, his lawyers on Monday must either prove that he can guarantee payment of the $454 million fine or face the possible seizure of some of his assets.
Judge Arthur Engoron imposed that fine after finding Trump and his two adult sons guilty in a non-jury trial.
Speaking about the trial, Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor and author of the book “The Trump Indictments,” told AFP, “If Trump is unable to provide the needed bond — and his lawyers have said they have tried in vain to secure one — then “obviously his image would change dramatically, I would think, for many people, because he has said that he’s a billionaire and very successful,” “And if he cannot post a bond in any amount, that is a huge problem.”
Separately, a criminal court in Manhattan convenes at 9:30 am (1330 GMT) to set a new date in his historic trial over payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
– Seeking more delays –
His lawyers have pursued every possible avenue to delay his many trials — if possible until after the November 5 presidential elections.
The trial involving Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was originally set to begin Monday but has been pushed back at least a month.
He stands accused of illegally using campaign funds to secure her silence about an alleged affair.
His legal team is requesting a delay of at least three months to allow them time to study thousands of pages of evidence belatedly provided by prosecutors.
They also want the trial to wait until the US Supreme Court rules on his claim to have absolute immunity for actions taken while he was president.
Agency Report
