NEW YORK – The verdict in the $370 million fraud trial of Donald Trump has been delayed and is now expected to be delivered in early to mid-February, according to a New York court spokesperson. Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the trial, had initially aimed to deliver the verdict by the end of January.
The trial revolves around allegations that Trump and his company committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets on financial documents. The New York attorney general’s office is seeking a $370 million disgorgement and to ban Trump from doing business in New York if found guilty.
Despite the initial deadline, the court spokesperson emphasized that the new timeline is just a “rough estimate” and that the decision will be a written filing. The delay in the verdict is reportedly due to a letter sent by former federal judge Barbara Jones, who has been serving as the court-appointed monitor overseeing the Trump Organization’s financial reports since November 2022.
In her letter, Jones identified certain deficiencies in the financial information she reviewed, including incomplete disclosures, inconsistencies in results, and errors. She also expressed concerns about a $48 million loan Trump received in 2012, which was reported as a liability on his financial statements for multiple years, despite the company claiming that the loan never existed. While Jones did not conclude whether fraudulent activity occurred, she noted that the observed misstatements and errors may continue to occur if not addressed.
Given the nature of the case, Jones’s letter is likely to have an impact on Judge Engoron’s verdict and the potential fine imposed on Trump. The delay in delivering the verdict underscores the complex nature of the case and the scrutiny of Trump’s financial dealings.