**Headline: Court Rules Donald Trump Committed Fraud in Building Real Estate Empire, Violated Law, Faces Trial**
In a landmark decision, Judge Arthur Engoron has ruled that former President Donald Trump engaged in fraudulent practices for years while constructing his real estate empire, which played a pivotal role in propelling him to fame and ultimately to the White House.
Judge Engoron found that Trump, along with his company and key executives, deceived financial institutions by significantly inflating asset values and exaggerating his net worth on documentation crucial for deals and securing financing. This deception, according to the judge, led to preferential loan terms and reduced insurance premiums.
Despite Trump’s argument that a disclaimer on the financial statements should absolve him of any wrongdoing, the judge categorically rejected this defense, emphasizing that such tactics crossed legal boundaries.
The ruling stems from a civil lawsuit initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James in September of the previous year. James accused Trump and his organization of consistently lying over a decade about the values of assets, including notable properties like Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower. She asserted that Trump’s net worth had been artificially inflated by billions of dollars in annual financial statements provided to banks and insurers.
A trial is scheduled to commence on October 2, with potential proceedings extending into December. The lawsuit brings to light serious allegations of financial misconduct, marking a significant legal challenge for the former president and his business endeavors.
