Current:Home > MyJudge rejects Trump motion for mistrial in New York fraud case -ProfitEdge
Judge rejects Trump motion for mistrial in New York fraud case
View
Date:2025-04-18 17:28:23
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.
Engoron found the defendants liable for fraud in a pretrial ruling. The trial is proceeding on other allegations related to falsification of business records, conspiracy and insurance fraud and the appropriate damages and penalties to be imposed.
Judge Engoron ruled that Trump and his campaign twice violated a limited gag order the judge put in place Oct. 3, after Trump posted a derogatory statement on social media about Greenfield. He's been ordered to pay $15,000 in fines related to the gag order violations.
In the motion for a mistrial, the Trump attorneys complained that Engoron consulted too frequently with Greenfield. Trump's attorneys announced plans to file it the day he testified in the case on Nov. 6, capping off an intense day of examination in which Trump — who has frequently criticized Judge Engoron and his clerk — even lashed out at the judge from the witness stand, pointing at him and calling him a "fraud."
In the filing, Trump's attorneys claim that "the Court has abrogated its constitutional responsibility to ensure each Defendant, including President Trump, receives a fair trial free from even the appearance of impropriety and impartiality."
Engoron wrote that he has an "absolute unfettered right to consult with my law clerks in any way, shape, or form I choose."
The attorney general had proposed a briefing schedule to address the mistrial motion, but Engoron ruled that was unnecessary, calling the motion itself "without merit" and writing "subsequent briefing would therefore be futile."
Trump legal spokesperson Alina Habba said, "As expected, today the Court refused to take responsibility for its failure to preside over this case in an impartial and unbiased manner. We, however, remain undeterred and will continue to fight for our clients' right to a fair trial."
- In:
- Donald Trump
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at KatesG@cbsnews.com or grahamkates@protonmail.com
veryGood! (682)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- Federal court strikes down Missouri investment rule targeted at `woke politics’
- Here's What Jennifer Lopez Is Up to on Ben Affleck's Birthday
- Michigan woman died after hiking Isle Royale National Park, officials say
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- US prosecutors aim to try Mexican drug lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada in New York, then in Texas
- JoJo Siwa Shares She's Dating New Girlfriend Dakayla Wilson
- Delta says it’s reviewing how man boarded wrong flight. A family says he was following them
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Sofia Richie Shares Special Way She’s Cherishing Mom Life With Baby Eloise
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Shannen Doherty's Mom Rosa Speaks Out After Actress' Death
- Disney wrongful death lawsuit over allergy highlights danger of fine print
- Tribe and environmental groups urge Wisconsin officials to rule against relocating pipeline
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Jewish groups file federal complaint alleging antisemitism in Fulton schools
- Dennis Quaid talks political correctness in Hollywood: 'Warned to keep your mouth shut'
- Racing Icon Scott Bloomquist Dead at 60 After Plane Crash
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Olympic Runner Noah Lyles Reveals He Grew Up in a “Super Strict” Cult
Want a collector cup from McDonald’s adult Happy Meal? Sets are selling online for $125.
Love Island U.K. Tommy Fury Slams “False” Allegations He Cheated on Ex-Fiancée Molly-Mae Hague
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Escaped inmate convicted of murder captured in North Carolina hotel after dayslong manhunt
West Virginia’s personal income tax to drop by 4% next year, Gov. Justice says
TikTok compares itself to foreign-owned American news outlets as it fights forced sale or ban