New York judge rules against Trump in fraud case

Judge Arthur Engoron on Tuesday ruled that former President Donald Trump defrauded banks and insurers by overvaluing his assets on paperwork involved in making business deals. The judgment comes days before a nonjury civil trial on claims New York Attorney General Letitia James brought against Trump last year.

How can the judge rule before the trial starts? Engoron issued a summary judgment on one of seven claims in the lawsuit. The other six will proceed to trial. Trump’s lawyers have denied James’ allegations of fraud and said that James doesn’t have standing to sue since Trump didn’t harm the public.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta and Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about separate charges against Trump filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.