The Testimony and Compensation
Eli Bartov, the expert witness, testified on Dec. 7, denying any evidence of fraud in Trump’s real estate company’s financial statements. Bartov’s compensation amounted to approximately $877,500 for his work on the case, with invoices being paid by both the Trump Organization and a political action committee supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign, Save America. Judge Engoron expressed doubt in Bartov’s testimony, suggesting that experts could be persuaded for a significant sum of money.
A Scathing Denial and Credibility Loss
Judge Engoron strongly rejected multiple requests by Trump for the case to be decided in his favor. Engoron stated that Bartov’s testimony only proved the willingness of some experts to say what they are paid to say. The judge further criticized Bartov’s unwavering defense of every misstatement, resulting in the loss of his credibility. Bartov, in response, refuted the judge’s interpretation of his “overarching point” and discredited Engoron’s suggestion that his billing rate influenced his opinion.
Legal Elements and Trump’s Defense
Christopher Kise, Trump’s lawyer, argued that Engoron’s ruling failed to address the legal elements of the claims made in the case. Kise asserted that the ruling seemed predetermined and lacked a proper examination of the defense’s arguments. Meanwhile, the New York Attorney General, Letitia James, seeks $250 million in penalties against Trump and aims to have him banned from the New York real estate business.
Engoron acknowledged that property valuations are subjective and argued that inaccurate information in financial statements must be deemed “material” to constitute fraud. The trial is set to conclude on Jan. 11 with closing arguments.