Judge Rejects Motion for Mistrial in Trump Fraud Case
The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's New York fraud case rejected a motion on Friday seeking to have a mistrial declared.
Trump's attorneys made the request on Thursday, claiming Judge Arthur Engoron and his law clerk had displayed bias and that he conferred with her so much it was as if they were "co-judging" the case. Engoron explicitly denied that claim on Friday, and called the motion "without merit."
"My rulings are mine, and mine alone. There is absolutely no 'co-judging' at play," Engoron wrote. The judge and his clerk, Allison Greenfield, have been the subject of fierce criticism by Trump and his lawyers, who claim they have overwhelmingly favored New York Attorney General Letitia James' side in the case.
The trial, which began Oct. 2 and is expected to last into December, stems from a September 2022 lawsuit in which James' office alleges that Trump, two of his sons and their company engaged in a decade of fraud tied to Trump's financial statements. James is seeking $250 million for the state and additional penalties that would restrict the defendants' ability to do business in New York.
Defendants in the case were found guilty of fraud in a pretrial ruling by Judge Engoron. The trial will continue to address other allegations including falsification of business records, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. The judge will determine the appropriate damages and penalties.
Judge Engoron also ruled that Trump and his campaign violated a limited gag order that was put in place on October 3. Trump has been ordered to pay $15,000 in fines for these violations. The gag order was violated when Trump made derogatory statements about Greenfield on social media.
In a motion for a mistrial, Trump's attorneys argued that Judge Engoron had excessive communication with Greenfield, which they believe compromised the fairness of the trial. The motion was planned to be filed on the day Trump testified in the case, November 6. During his testimony, Trump criticized Judge Engoron and his clerk, even going as far as calling the judge a "fraud."
In their filing, Trump's attorneys claimed that the court failed to ensure a fair trial for each defendant, including President Trump. They accused the court of disregarding its constitutional responsibility and showing bias.
Judge Engoron responded by stating that he has the right to consult with his law clerks in any way he chooses.
The attorney general's proposed briefing schedule to address the mistrial motion was deemed unnecessary by Engoron, who dismissed the motion as "without merit" and stated that any subsequent briefing would be futile.
Alina Habba, the legal spokesperson for Trump, expressed their lack of surprise at the court's refusal to acknowledge its failure to preside over the case in an impartial and unbiased manner. Despite this setback, they remain determined to fight for their clients' right to a fair trial.
