In a scathing ruling delivered on Friday, New York Judge Arthur Engoron didn’t mince words when criticizing Ivanka Trump’s testimony in the Trump business fraud case. Engoron highlighted what he termed Ivanka’s “inconsistent recall” of key events, noting her denial of knowledge despite documentary evidence proving her involvement.
Initially listed as a defendant alongside her father, Ivanka was later dropped from the case due to a statute of limitations. However, Engoron’s judgment didn’t spare her from scrutiny. He pointedly remarked on her denial of recollection regarding critical negotiations involving properties like the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C., and the Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida.
Engoron noted Ivanka’s inability to recall events despite the presence of emails and documents bearing her signature. He characterized her testimony as suspect, emphasizing that the documented evidence spoke for itself in the absence of her memory.
”She consistently denied recalling the contents of documentary evidence that confirmed that she actively participated in events, even after she was confronted with the evidence.”
The Court found her inconsistent recall, depending on whether she was questioned by OAG [New York attorney general’s office] or the defense, suspect. In any event, what Ms. Trump cannot recall is memorialized in contemporaneous emails and documents; in the absence of her memory, the documents speak for themselves.”
This ruling comes after Engoron found Donald Trump liable for business fraud in September 2023, citing deception in property valuations to secure favorable loans and tax arrangements. The penalties imposed on Trump include a staggering $354.9 million fine to the state of New York, along with bans on serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for him and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric.
Despite Trump’s condemnation of the judgment as “crooked” and his pledge to appeal, New York Attorney General Letitia James hailed the verdict as a victory for accountability. She emphasized the importance of holding all individuals, including former presidents, to the same standards of justice.
As the legal saga continues to unfold, Engoron’s ruling stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of deceptive business practices and the obligation of all individuals, regardless of stature, to uphold the law.
