Trump Trial Descends Into Chaos After Attorney Accuses Witness of Lying
Donald Trump’s civil fraud lawsuit erupted into chaos on Wednesday when one of the former president’s attorneys accused witness Doug Larson of lying.
The $250 million trial stems from a lawsuit filed by New York attorney General Letitia James in 2022 alleging that Trump and other executives at the Trump Organization conspired to inflate the former president’s net worth by billions of dollars on financial statements provided to banks and insurers in order to make deals and secure loans. Trump, who is dominating the GOP polls in his third presidential campaign, continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Larson, an appraiser whose name appears multiple times over years’ worth of Trump’s financial documents, began his testimony on Tuesday. The documents allege that building valuations were determined through multiple phone conversations with Larson for Trump properties like 40 Wall Street, Trump Tower and a retail area named Niketown.
When Larson was pressed by the state about the phone conversations on Tuesday, he said he didn’t remember them. The state then suggested that the valuation numbers were calculated after using metrics sourced from a generic email Larson sent to his clients. Larson maintained that official appraisals should’ve been carried out on the buildings.
Former President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom with attorney Christopher Kise during his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on October 18, 2023, in New York City. The trial erupted into chaos on Wednesday after one of Trump’s attorneys accused witness Doug Larson of lying.
On Wednesday, Trump attorney Lazaro Fields cross-examined Larson about an email he received from Trump Organization controller Jeff McConney on August 5, 2013. McConney asked Larson to provide a report similar to one he had attached to the email. Larson previously denied having conversation with McConney regarding the 40 Wall Street property in 2016.
“You lied yesterday, didn’t you?” Fields said to Larson.
The question prompted the court to fall into chaos as Chris Kise, another of Trump’s attorneys, jumped into action. The Messenger journalist Adam Klasfeld detailed the happenings in a post shared on X, formerly Twitter.
“Trump’s lawyer: Q: You lied yesterday, didn’t you? Chris Kise jumps up and says: ‘This witness has rights,’ suggesting he be advised of perjury. After furious objections from the state, judge instructs witness to leave the room,” Klasfeld posted.
Kise then told Judge Arthur Engoron that Larson should be advised of potential perjury. His comments were met with accusations from the state that Kise was not concerned about the witness and was instead creating a performance for the press in the gallery.
Engoron also questioned Kise’s concern—as it contradicted the defense’s interest in allowing the witness to speak—but Larson was allowed to return to the stand.
Upon his return, Larson was again asked if he lied, but the question was met with objections from the state. Further questioning prompted Larson to say he did not work with McConney in 2013 to aid him in valuing the property.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump Organization by email on Tuesday for comment.
Engoron already ruled that James proved that Trump Organization assets were inflated. The non-jury trial will determine how much is owed in penalties. Trump and two of his children—Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump—also could be barred from running businesses in New York if prosecutors are successful.
As well as the civil lawsuit in New York, Trump faces 91 federal and state charges, all of which he denies. He has been indicted four times this year: March 30 on Manhattan “hush money” charges; June 8 for allegedly handling classified documents; August 1 in Washington, D.C., regarding election interference; and August 24 in Georgia on racketeering and election interference charges.
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