Donald Trump's lawyer gives damning prediction ahead of his fraud trial verdict
Donald Trump's lawyer admits she doesn't have high hopes ahead of the imminent verdict of his mega money fraud trial.
The 77-year-old is expected to discover the outcome on Friday, potentially being hit with severe financial penalties and other sanctions. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $370 million and a ban on Trump from doing business in the state. His team have vowed to appeal if things go against him.
Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Trump did inflate his wealth on financial statements by as much as $3.6 billion, papers that were given to banks and insurers. He is now set to rule after listening to almost three months of testimony, hearing from 40 witnesses - which included a fiery exchanged with the former President.
He clashed with the judge at his civil trial late last year and made personal jabs towards him and Attorney General James, whom he described as a "political hack" during a feisty three-and-a-half hours on the stand. He was reprimanded by the judge who told him "this is not a political rally” as Trump used the witness stand to defend his property valuations and financial statements.
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Alina Habba does not sound confident ahead of the verdict (AFP via Getty Images)But speaking to Newsmax ahead of the verdict, lawyer Alina Habba said: "If I could file the appeal now I would, there's no surprises coming here. It's much of the same that we've seen in New York. I'll be loud and booming right after we get the decision, I don't have high hopes. I do believe there is some ethics left.
Donald Trump could be hit with millions of dollars in penalties and other sanctions (Getty Images)"I hope Judge Engoron sees through this, quite honestly I've seen it time and time again. I've been on weeks and weeks of trial in New York, the corruption runs deep. The Trump derangement syndrome frankly runs even deeper. They can't see straight, they can't apply law to fact. There was absolutely no laws broken."
The Republican presidential front-runner ranted in his closing arguments that the case was a 'fraud on me' and told the judge he had done nothing wrong. Mr Engoron interrupted Trump's outburst and urged his lawyer to 'control his client' before the defendant walked out the court.
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Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that the former US President did inflate his wealth (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)In November, Trump's lawyer accused Judge Engoron of being "unhinged" and claimed he slammed a table in court. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, she said: “I was told to sit down today. I was yelled at and I’ve had a judge, who is unhinged, slamming a table. Let me be very clear: I don’t tolerate that in my life. I’m not going to tolerate it here.”
The bizarre spectacle is part of the Republican presidential candidate, and his lawyers, strategy to use court hearings to portray Trump as a victim of the "liberal judicial system", according to Dr. Sharon D. Wright Austin, Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.
'I don't have high hopes,' she said (AFP via Getty Images)She exclusively told Mirror US: "His strategy is to motivate his supporters. Regardless of the outcome of the various court trials he's involved in, he can still run for president, and can possibly win. He wants his supporters to become outraged by portraying himself as a victim of a liberal judicial system that is trying to prevent him from becoming president again. Trump has a domineering personality and wants to promote an image of himself as a fighter. This is typical of what he does.
The behaviour of Trump's lawyers is "surprising" but not "shocking" as Habba needs to portray her client as the "victim" to help mobilise support among his base. Dr Austin added: "The behavior of his lawyers is surprising, but not shocking. They want to show the public that they are fighting aggressively to protect his honor. They want him to be found not guilty and not face any punishments but also are contributing to his campaign strategy (of portraying himself as a victim as a way to mobilise his base and attract additional supporters)."
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