Former President Donald Trump and three of his children will testify in the fraud case that he is facing, Business Insider reports.
This is in regard to the case that New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has brought against Trump and Trump's company, the Trump Organization.
The trial phase of the case is set to begin on Monday, Oct. 2.
James recently submitted to the court the list of witnesses that she intends to call, and on this list is Trump as well as two of his sons - Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump - as well as one of his daughters - Ivanka Trump.
We do not know what exactly James plans to ask Trump and his children when she calls them to the witness stand. She plans to call Ivanka 14th, Eric Trump, 25th, Trump Jr., 26th, and Trump, 27th.
Overall, James has accused Trump and his company of committing fraud by overstating the value of his assets on various financial documents.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled against Trump on the fraud charge. The trial that will take place this week will determine whether anyone else is liable for fraud.
It will also determine what monetary penalties ought to be imposed on Trump and his company. James is looking for over $250 million.
Finally, the trial will determine whether Trump and his children ought to be banned from ever being able to run a business again in New York. This is another penalty that James is seeking.
Trump and his children have disputed James' claims and Engoron's recent ruling. Trump did so in several recent social media statements, including one in which he referred to Engoron as a "political hack."
Trump maintains that he did not overvalue his assets. And, he insists that his assets are worth more than Engoron claims they are.
Trump wrote:
Mar-a-Lago is worth, perhaps, 100 times more than he values it. Other properties are likewise worth substantially more. I am worth billions more than my very conservatively stated financial statements, and therefore could not have defrauded the banks, who all made money & were all paid back, or are current, with no defaults or any other problem. Additionally, there is a powerful Disclaimer Clause on the first pages of the Financial Statements. It states that nothing in the Financial Statements should be accepted as fact!
Trump, in a follow-up message, explained what he believes is really motivating the likes of James and Engoron.
Trump wrote:
This is a lawsuit that should never have been brought. It is a POLITICALLY MOTIVATED WITCH HUNT by a Racist Attorney General, and a Deranged, Trump Hating Judge. It is ELECTION INTERFERENCE at a level never seen before. No wonder people and companies are fleeing New York!
