On Wednesday, President Trump’s lawyers asked a judge to grant a mistrial in the civil fraud case brought forward by the New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The attorneys argued that there was evidence of bias present within the case. James is seeking $250 million in damages and to bar Trump and his sons from operating any businesses in New York.
Judge Arthur Engoron has displayed certain behavior within court that could be seen as biased against Trump, including smiling for cameras and expanding a gag order on Trump’s attorneys.
CNBC reported:
Donald Trump and his co-defendants asked a judge Wednesday to grant a mistrial in the $250 million civil business fraud case that threatens the former president’s business empire.
In a court filing, attorneys for Trump, his two adult sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the Trump Organization and its top executives argued that “the evidence of apparent and actual bias” in the case is “tangible and overwhelming.”
The 30-page filing in Manhattan Supreme Court targeted the presiding judge, Arthur Engoron, as well as his principal law clerk, claiming their conduct has “tainted these proceedings” and that “only the grant of a mistrial can salvage what is left of the rule of law.”
On Friday, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) filed a judicial ethics complaint against New York Judge Arthur Engoron due to his perceived “bizarre behavior” and alleged bias in President Trump’s civil fraud case, which was decided without a jury.
“Judge Engoron’s bizarre and biased behavior is making New York’s judicial system a laughingstock. Former Southern District of New York federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy, who has at times criticized President Trump, recently stated that he views the “whole New York justice system” as “fraudulent.”” Stefanik wrote.
“Americans are sick and tired of the blatant corruption by radical Leftist judges in NY. All New Yorkers must speak out against the dangerous weaponized lawfare against President Trump,” Stefanik said.
Rep. Stefanik provided several examples of Judge Engoron’s clear judicial bias against Trump and overall bizarre behavior in court:
[1] At the start of the trial, Judge Engoron infamously smiled and posed for the cameras.
[2] After the defendant won an appellate ruling against Judge Engoron on the appropriate statute of limitations in this case, the judge simply ignored the ruling.
[3] Judge Engoron entered summary judgment against the defendant before the trial even began, without witnesses, other evidence, and cross-examination. This, despite the fact there’s disputed material evidence–and there’s no victim of the defendant’s supposed fraud. Indeed, as the trial evidence has made clear, the defendant paid back the sophisticated Wall Street banks, on time, in full, with interest, as agreed.
[4] No insurance company paid a penny. And these banks and insurance companies, supposedly defrauded, continue to do business with the defendant. Yet Judge Engoron decreed before trial the defendant somehow committed fraud. Now, the judge is holding a trial–with no jury–to determine how much of Tish James’ requested $250 million in damages–with no victims–he will extract from the defendant.
“How does this not violate the defendant’s Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial?” Stefanik wrote.
Stefanik also said Judge Engoron illegally gagged Trump and his attorneys and quoted Engoron: “We are not here to listen to what you have to say.” He told the defendant’s counsel: “I am not here to hear what he has to say, now sit down!” And Judge Engoron even threatened the defendant’s counsel if he filed a routine motion for a directed verdict: “You better not, Chris!”
The GOP Rep. also pointed out that Judge Engoron and his staff are partisan Democrat donors.
“Judge Engoron and his staff are partisan Democrat donors. As recently as 2018, Judge Engoron donated to the Manhattan Democrats[5]–even though Section 100.5 says that judges “shall refrain” from “making a contribution to a political organization.”” she wrote.
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4 Responses
This whole case has been tainted from the start, from the D.A. to the judge. It’s obvious that it’s just political interference against an opposing (and leading) candidate. No jury trial, hamstringing defense attorney’s and defendant by limiting speech (gag orders), and restricting discovery evidence, or any evidence that might help the defense (which is their right. No presumption of innocence from the beginning.
Even if denied this case and fine will never survive Appeal.
Nothing but pure harrassment and election interference…at taxpayer expense.
Should this Crooked Liberal Communist Democrat Judge find President Trump Guilty there will be an immediate cause to dismiss this whole Kangaroo Courts findings. There are at least 25 reasons to throw it out right now but I understand what and why Trumps Attorney’s aren’t doing that yet. If they were to get the trial stopped and a mistrial announced they would just keep trying him over and over and over again until they win. This why once the whole trial runs its course and they find him innocent NYC will be Owned lock , stock and barrel by the Trump Family as they will immediately Sue for Trillions in Damages. The Trump Organization broke exactly Zero Laws and even if they had unknowingly broken 1 the Staute of Limitations ran out overc10 years ago. This Brought and Paid for DA and Judge think they are going to gat a huge payday from movie,TV and Book rights when all they will receive are Life Sentences in a Federal Super Max Prison. It’s going to be so much fun watching them both led away in handcuffs as Trump laughs all the way to the Bank.
The judge is going to be royally pissed if he doesn’t get his “bonus” from Soros and the democrats.