Trump lawyers go after accountant and appeal major pretrial ruling in New York fraud case
Former President Donald Trump showed up for several hours on the third day of his New York civil fraud trial, complaining anew about his treatment before leaving for Florida NEW YORK -- Warned to mind his out-of-court comments, former President Donald Trump returned to his New York civil fraud trial Wednesday as his defense lawyers closely questioned an accountant who prepared financial statements at the heart of the case. Outside the courtroom, Trump's lawyers appealed a key pretrial ruling that Trump engaged in fraud by inflating the values of prized assets including his Trump Tower penthouse. The civil case, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump and his Business of exaggerating his wealth in financial statements that went to banks, insurers and others. With accountant Donald Bender on the witness stand, state lawyers have sought to show that Trump and others at his company had full control over the preparation of the financial statements. Bender testif...