Former President Donald Trump Reappears in Civil Fraud Trial; Key Witness Michael Cohen Absent Due to Health Reasons

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to make another appearance in a New York City civil court on Tuesday for a trial that poses significant risks to his real estate business.

Trump had attended the initial three days of the proceedings, from October 2 to 4, using the occasion as a platform to voice his criticisms of the trial whenever he encountered television cameras outside the courtroom.

According to Trump’s legal representation, enhanced security measures will be in place both inside and outside the Manhattan courthouse for his forthcoming appearance. His return to court was originally slated to coincide with the testimony of Michael Cohen, his one-time legal counsel who later turned adversary. However, due to a health issue, Cohen’s scheduled appearance as a witness has been postponed to a future date.

On the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Cohen refuted the idea that he was avoiding a face-off with Trump. He stated on Monday that he fully expects Trump to be present in the courtroom during his eventual testimony.

“I am relieved that my medical condition, albeit excruciatingly painful, does not necessitate urgent medical intervention,” said Cohen via text message. “I plan to take the witness stand as soon as my condition improves. I am confident that when that time comes, Donald will be seated at the defense table with his legal team.”

The lawsuit, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Trump and his organization misled banks, insurance companies, and other entities by significantly inflating the valuation of his assets and net worth on documentation used for transactions and securing financing. James initiated this investigation in 2019, following Cohen’s congressional testimony that alleged Trump had a pattern of misrepresenting asset values to secure favorable loans and tax advantages.

In Cohen’s absence, it is anticipated that the court will hear testimony from Donna Kidder, assistant controller of Trump’s organization. Moreover, state prosecutors are expected to call Jack Weisselberg, the son of longtime Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, to the stand on Tuesday.

During Trump’s previous court attendance earlier this month, he labeled the trial a “fraudulent scheme” and accused Attorney General James, a Democrat, of leveraging the legal proceedings to impede his political aspirations.

After Trump criticized a principal court official on social media, the presiding judge issued a partial gag order on the second day of the trial. The judge ordered Trump to retract his online statement and cautioned all parties against disparaging members of the court staff.

Trump’s initial visit to the trial precipitated heightened security protocols at the courthouse, including increased checkpoints, barricades along adjacent streets, and a Secret Service presence within the courtroom.

This latest courtroom appearance by Trump follows a judicial ruling in his separate criminal case in Washington, D.C., which involves allegations of election interference. A judge in that case recently imposed a narrow gag order, restricting Trump from making statements that could prejudice prosecutors, potential witnesses, or court officials.

Last month, a pretrial judgement determined that Trump and his organization had engaged in years of fraudulent activities, as they exaggerated the value of assets and financial statements. Judge Arthur Engoron subsequently ordered a court-appointed overseer to temporarily assume control of certain Trump businesses, casting uncertainty on the future management of landmark properties like Trump Tower. However, an appeals court has provisionally stayed the enforcement of that part of the decision.

The current trial pertains to six outstanding claims in the lawsuit, which include conspiracy, insurance fraud, and the falsification of business records.

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More about Donald Trump Civil Fraud Trial

• Lawsuit Allegations Against Donald Trump
• New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Investigation
• Michael Cohen’s Previous Congressional Testimony
• Enhanced Security Measures for Trump’s Court Appearances
• Pretrial Judgments in Donald Trump’s Civil Fraud Case