According to a person familiar with the matter, State Judge Arthur Engoron, who oversaw the $370 million civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump and his company in New York, is set to deliver his verdict in the trial by the week’s end.
According to a source familiar with the matter, it is expected that the Engoron decision will be made public on Friday, unless any unexpected circumstances arise.
The New York Times has previously reported the updated target date.
Engoron had expressed his intention to deliver his ruling in the lengthy trial by January 31. However, a spokesperson for the state court system recently informed NBC News that it is now anticipated to be released in “early to mid-February.”
The trial, which began on October 2, and featured testimonies from the former president as well as his three eldest children – Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump – is finally coming to a close. The eagerly awaited ruling will put an end to the case, in which the state Attorney General Letitia James’ office accused Trump and other high-ranking officials of engaging in rampant fraud by exaggerating financial statements. On January 11, the closing arguments were presented.
Engoron has already determined that Trump and his executives committed fraud. Now, the crucial matter at hand is to determine their intent and the appropriate penalties that Trump and his company should face. James is seeking a sum of $370 million and a prohibition on Trump’s future involvement in the New York real estate industry, where he gained his reputation, among other repercussions.
President Trump, who has vehemently dismissed the case as a politically motivated “fraud on me,” has consistently maintained his innocence.
Friday could potentially bring an end to a hectic week in court for Trump. On Monday, he participated in a confidential hearing concerning classified evidence in a federal criminal case that accuses him of mishandling national security information. Furthermore, he is scheduled to make an appearance in a New York criminal court on Thursday for a pretrial hearing related to allegations of falsifying business records connected to hush money payments.
On Thursday, there is also a hearing in Georgia concerning Trump and his co-defendants’ attempt to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from her election interference racketeering case. This hearing is anticipated to extend into Friday.
Trump has entered a plea of not guilty in all three criminal cases.