Trump slams 'sham' trial as business practices face court scrutiny

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Ex-US President Donald Trump struck out Monday at the New York legal system, deriding what he called a "sham" as he faces a $250 million civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

"We have a rogue judge that ruled the properties are worth a tiny fraction, one-one hundredth, a tiny fraction of what they actually are. We have a racist Attorney General who is a horror show who ran on the basis that she was gonna get Trump before she even knew anything about me," Trump told reporters.

"It's a scam. It's a sham. Just so you know, my financial statements are phenomenal. They are actually less in terms of the numbers used than the actual net worth," he added.

Trump alleged that the case is part of efforts to hamper his 2024 election prospects, claiming it "has to do with election interference, plain and simple."

"They're trying to damage me so that I don't do as well as I'm doing in the election," he said.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the case, ruled in late September that Trump and his company committed repeated acts of fraud for years.

Engoron found that Trump and his company deceived banks by submitting “fraudulent valuations” for assets that were then used by himself, his eldest sons and his business to secure better loan and insurance terms.

The judge immediately canceled all of Trump and his co-defendants' business certificates in New York and ordered that they must recommend no more than three potential independent receivers to manage the dissolution of the canceled limited liability companies within 10 days.

Trump's legal team has said they plan to appeal.

The judge, who is presiding over the non-jury trial, will now rule on six other claims brought by James' office in the lawsuit. The suit seeks $250 million in damages, and a ban on Trump doing business in the state where he made his brand as a high-profile real estate developer.