Priya PatelTLDR:
– Donald Trump has attacked the financial monitor overseeing the Trump Organization and called for her to be fired.
– The monitor, Barbara Jones, recently reported a range of issues, including a questionable $48 million loan, in Trump’s New York civil business fraud case.
– Trump’s attorney argued that Jones’ findings do not support continued oversight and accused her of seeking to justify the receipt of fees.
Donald Trump has lashed out at Barbara Jones, the financial monitor overseeing the Trump Organization, and urged a judge to fire her. This comes after Jones reported a range of issues, including a questionable $48 million loan, in Trump’s New York civil business fraud case. Trump’s attorney argued that Jones’ findings do not support continued oversight and accused her of seeking to justify the receipt of fees.
Jones submitted a report to Judge Arthur Engoron accusing the Trump Organization of providing incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrect financial disclosures. In that report, she noted that she identified a loan between Trump and an entity related to Trump Chicago Tower that turned out not to exist. Trump’s attorney called this claim “a demonstrable falsehood” and questioned Jones’ competency and veracity.
Barbara Jones, a retired federal judge, was selected in 2022 by both Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James to serve as the independent monitor in the civil fraud case. However, Trump’s attorney accused Jones of being “unabashedly self-serving” and argued that her report contained errors and was misleading.
Judge Engoron is expected to deliver a verdict in James’ case soon. James accuses Trump, his two adult sons, his company, and its top executives of fraudulently inflating Trump’s asset values to boost his net worth and obtain financial perks. She seeks a ban on Trump’s participation in New York’s real estate industry and five-year bans for Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as over $370 million in penalties.
Trump’s attorney called Jones’ report a “joke” and characterized her findings as insignificant clerical errors and inconsistencies. He argued that the fees paid to the monitor were unjust and unnecessary.
Engoron is expected to issue a verdict in the case soon.
