Trump's Expert Witness Debunks Fraud Claims in New York Trial
In the bustling courtroom of his New York civil fraud trial, Former President Donald Trump witnessed a pivotal moment as the defense's expert witness, Eli Bartov, confidently asserted, "no evidence whatsoever of any accounting fraud."
As the trial unfolded, Bartov revealed he earned about $877,500 for his expert testimony, charging $1,350 per hour for approximately 650 hours of work. The source of his payments? Bartov pointed to the Trump Organization and Trump's Save America PAC, as indicated by his bank statements.
The courtroom drama intensified when Alina Habba, one of Trump's attorneys, expressed frustration with objections from the state of New York's legal team. "Why are we wasting our time if no one is listening to the words coming out of our experts' mouths?" Habba questioned, emphasizing the defense's frustration.
Frederick Chin, another expert witness for the defense, disclosed billing $850 per hour for 1,000 hours of work, totaling $850,000. In contrast, the state's expert witness, Michael McCarty, earned $950 per hour but worked fewer hours, estimating a total of around $350,000.
These high costs shed light on the financial strain of Trump's numerous legal battles, with the Save America PAC spending $40 million in the first half of the year alone.
Trump, undeterred, remained at the courthouse throughout Thursday's proceedings, praising Bartov and his testimony. He exclaimed, "This is a disgraceful situation. Never seen anything like it," emphasizing Bartov's status as a highly respected accounting professor.
Bartov, a professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, delivered superlative assessments of Trump's financial statements, stating, "I've never seen a statement that provides so much detail and is so transparent." Trump echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Bartov's credentials and integrity.
However, the state's attorneys expressed skepticism, leading to heated exchanges in the courtroom. Bartov staunchly defended his findings, labeling the opposing claims as "pure speculation" and challenging the evidence presented by the state.
In a tense exchange, Judge Engoron clarified the essence of the case, highlighting the alleged false statements in financial records that form the basis of the lawsuit brought by Letitia James, the New York attorney general.
Judge Engoron had earlier ruled that Trump and other defendants were liable for fraud in a partial summary judgment. The case alleges that Trump and his sons inflated asset values to secure favorable loans and insurance deals, charges they vehemently deny.
As Trump prepares to return to court on Monday, Dec. 11, the cross-examination of Bartov is anticipated to be a critical moment as the trial approaches its conclusion.
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