In a recent development, the legal representatives of former President Donald Trump are pushing for the removal of Judge Arthur Engoron from Trump's ongoing New York fraud case.
According to Newsweek, Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, has raised "serious allegations" suggesting that Engoron might have received counsel regarding the case before delivering a staggering $454 million fraud judgment against Trump.
Previously, Engoron had held Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and The Trump Organization accountable for a scheme that illicitly inflated Trump's net worth and assets to secure more advantageous business deals. Despite the allegations and the subsequent judgment, Trump, who is widely considered the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has consistently asserted his innocence.
The penalty imposed on Trump, inclusive of interest, amounted to approximately $454 million. In a bid to overturn Engoron's judgment, Trump's legal team filed a motion last Thursday, requesting the judge's removal from the case.
This move comes in the wake of an interview with real estate attorney Adam Leitman Bailey by NBC New York. Bailey disclosed conversations he had with Engoron during the trial. "I wanted him to know what I think and why...I really want him to get it right," Bailey stated. When questioned about the case they discussed, Bailey responded, "Well, obviously, we weren't talking about the Mets."
Bailey further added, "I know he respects my real estate knowledge. So I gave it to him. I gave him everything I knew. He had a lot of questions, you know about certain cases. We went over it."
However, a court spokesperson refuted these claims, stating, "No ex parte conversation concerning this matter occurred between Justice Engoron and Mr. Bailey or any other person. The decision Justice Engoron issued February 16 was his alone, was deeply considered, and was wholly uninfluenced by this individual."
Kise has indicated that the alleged conversation is currently under official scrutiny. "The staggering $464 million judgment entered against President Trump in a case with no victims, no fraud, no loss and no harm to any public or private interest has already imperiled public confidence in the integrity of the New York legal system," Kise expressed.
He further added, "Now serious allegations of prohibited communications between the judge and a third party are under active investigation by the Judicial Conduct Commission. Thus, the Court has proceeded not only in contravention of controlling law and the Constitution but perhaps also contrary to the governing standards of judicial conduct."
Kise has raised concerns about Trump's right to a fair trial, stating, "Since the integrity of the entire process and President Trump's right to a fair and impartial trial have been called into question, recusal is the only way to preserve the reputation of the New York court system and the rule of law."
Bailey, in a conversation with CNN, clarified that his discussions with Engoron were limited to his September summary judgment decision, where Engoron ruled that Trump had committed fraud. He also expressed regret over his comments being broadcasted, stating, "I was tricked, I was duped and I'm devastated that any of this is happening, it's just wrong. I am devastated, and I am hurt that even though Judge Engoron is retiring very soon that he still has to deal with this because of a statement I gave off the record."
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