New York State Attorneys’ Office on Wednesday asked a judge to rule that former President Donald Trump, his adult sons and their family business inflated Trump’s net worth by billions in order to obtain easy credit terms. Trump, meanwhile, used a waiver to plead not guilty to charges of interfering with the election in Georgia, and that state’s governor has criticized Republicans for wanting to strip the district attorney of her power.
Interference in the Georgia elections
Trump is pleading not guilty by dropping the charges and trying to separate the case from other defendants
Key Characters: Trump attorney Steven SadowFulton County DA Fanie Willislawyers Kenneth Chesbro And Sydney Powell
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On Thursday, Trump used a waiver that allowed him to plead not guilty in the Georgia case without appearing in court, the guard reported.
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“As evidenced by my signature below,” reads the two-page filing filed by Trump’s lead attorney Steven Sadow with Fulton County Superior Court, “I hereby waive the formal indictment and maintain that I am NOT GUILTY in this case.” . ”
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Trump’s attorneys also urged the judge Thursday to separate his case from his co-defendants, two of whom, Chesebro and Powell, are seeking a speedy trial. CNN reported. While Willis has asked the court to start the trial on Oct. 24, Trump’s attorneys said that did not give them “adequate time” to prepare and that the proposed date “revokes President Trump’s constitutional right at the federal and state levels.” would violate a fair trial.’ pending trial.”
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Trump is accused of 13 criminal offenses, including violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Why it matters: Fulton County allows defendants to submit a plea bargain virtually or with a waiver, saving them the need to have an in-person arraignment heard on courtroom cameras. Trump is also aiming to postpone the start of the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.
Governor of Georgia. rejects calls to ditch Fulton County Attorney Fani Willis
Key Characters: Governor of Georgia. brian kemp, Georgia State Senator. Colton Moore
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In response to Republican Moore’s calls for the Senate to vote to fund Willis’s prosecution against Trump, Kemp made it clear that he disagreed with the idea. the hill reported.
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“Up to this point, I have seen no evidence that prosecutor Willis’s actions or omissions warrant intervention by the prosecutor’s supervisory board.” Kemp told reporters Thursday.
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In November, Kemp testified before the Fulton County grand jury, which voted to indict Trump.
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Calls to withdraw funds from Willis have divided Georgia Republicans and their Atlanta affiliate WSB TV reported.
Why it matters: Kemp, the senior Republican incumbent in Georgia, has staunchly criticized Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 presidential election. His testimony will likely be part of Willis’ case when he goes to trial.
New York civil suit for financial fraud
New York prosecutors accuse Trump of inflating assets
Key Characters: New York Attorney General Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron
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In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, New York prosecutors asked Judge Engoron, who is leading Trump’s civil case on financial fraud, to rule that Trump, his adult sons and the family business inflated his net worth by billions in financial reports over a decade. CNN reported.
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“Based on the undisputed evidence, no trial is needed for the court to determine that the defendants grossly and materially inflated assets in the financial reports and then repeatedly used those SFCs in business transactions to defraud banks and insurers,” it said the explanatory memorandum reads Submission.
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It is expected that Engoron will not make a decision on the filing until just before the trial begins in October.
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James is suing Trump for $250 million. A guilty verdict would also carry sanctions that would effectively halt the Trump Organization’s activities in the state.
Why it matters: If Engoron agrees with prosecutors that a “mountain of evidence” shows Trump inflated his fortune, that would not end the case but would make it easier for James and her team to prove the rest of the allegations.
Trump attorneys are moving to dismiss the lawsuit
Key Characters: Trump lawyers Christopher Kize Michael Madaio and Clifford Roberts
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Trump’s attorneys countered Wednesday with their own filing, urging Engoron to dismiss the case based on an appeals court ruling that appeared to limit the statute of limitations for hearing charges like those in the Trump case. CBS News reported.
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“The Appellate Division has now narrowed the scope of NYAG’s crusade against President Trump and his family,” Trump attorneys Kise, Madaio and Robert wrote in the filing.
Why it matters: If Engoron sides with Trump’s lawyers, the scope of the trial against the former president will be significantly reduced.
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