In a recent development, the New York attorney general’s office accused Donald Trump of attempting to undermine the Court’s legitimacy by requesting the judge in his civil fraud trial to recuse himself due to communications with a real estate attorney.
Trump’s lawyers asked New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who previously ordered Trump to pay nearly half a billion dollars in a judgment, to step down from the case. They alleged that the judge had engaged in “prohibited communications” with lawyer Adam Bailey before issuing his decision.
In response, Trump’s attorneys stated that if Engoron does not recuse himself, they will seek an evidentiary hearing to further investigate the reported conversation between the judge and Bailey.
The attorney general’s office opposed the recusal motion, describing it as “pure sophistry” and arguing that the basis for the request was unfounded.
Furthermore, Trump’s lawyers referred to Bailey’s interview with NBC New York, where Bailey mentioned speaking to the judge about the case and expressing his opinions on it.
A lawyer for Bailey requested Engoron to block a subpoena from Trump related to efforts to remove the judge from the case. Bailey accused Trump’s legal team of engaging in a fishing expedition with the subpoena.
In February, Engoron had ruled against Trump, his sons, and his company in a fraud case, resulting in a $454 million verdict. Trump’s appeal of the verdict is still pending, with Engoron overseeing a monitor appointed to supervise the Trump Organization’s finances.
