US News Updates: Former US President Donald Trump will appear in court today for a civil fraud trial in which he will face what he said was a "sham" accusation that he fraudulently inflated the value of properties and other assets, reports Reuters. He said on his truth social account on Sunday that "I'm going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation". He also lashed out in his post at New York state Attorney General Letitia James and the judge in the case, who Trump called "unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his pursuit of me".
Last week, New York State Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his family business fraudulently inflated the value of his properties and other assets to suit their business needs. Trump and other defendants have argued that they have never committed fraud.
"He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS SHAM!!! See you in Court - Monday morning," Trump said in his post, referring to the judge and the case.
(Donald Trump)
The former US President had been sued in 2022 by state attorney James, who accused him, his sons, the Trump Organization and others of "staggering fraud" in how they valued properties. James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties, a ban on Trump and his sons, Donald Jr and Eric, from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization.
(With input from agencies)