Fogbow

Jim wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 1:58 pm Pretty funny that Trump's team of crack lawyers (and junior's, etc) weren't smart enough to ask for a jury trial...they lost their best chance to bullshit Trump out of this mess.

bob wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:08 pm "I'm trying to delay the lawsuit I filed!" is vintage Klayman. Who lives in Florida and has an open schedule now that his sports-related lawsuits are donezo.

The state has called its first witness, Donald Bender, who previously testified in the state's criminal trial against the Trump Organization, which led to the conviction of the company's former CFO Allen Weisselberg. He was released from jail earlier this year.

Bender was a partner at Mazars USA LLP who spent years preparing Trump's personal tax returns. Bender said in testimony last year at the Trump Organization criminal trial that the former president had losses totaling $900 million in 2009 and 2010.

Weisselberg had already pleaded guilty at that point and was cooperating with prosecutors. The company was ultimately found guilty and fined $1.6 million.

Donald Bender testified that when he did accounting for the Trump Organization from 2011 to 2021, he spent roughly 45% to 55% of his time on Trump-related work.

Bender said he prepared documents of Trump's assets and liabilities and that he would take information given by his client presented in a financial statement. He said that before technology improved, he would go to Trump Tower in person to obtain the necessary documents and put them in a binder. Then technology changed, he said, and they were able to get the records by email.

Even though Bender was speaking in fairly dry accounting terms, everyone in the courtroom was still fully engaged and hanging on his every word.

As the day draws to a close, Trump is becoming very animated while talking to his attorneys. He in particular seems to be taking great issue with some of Bender’s testimony.

At times, he appears to be very upset, with his face turning beet red. At one point, Trump turned to Cliff Robert, the attorney for his adult sons, and whisper-yelled at him, while pointing and waving his finger.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar wrote: "I think it's very unfair I don't have a jury" -- Trump, who doesn't have a jury because his lawyers elected not to have one

Acyn @Acyn wrote: Trump: This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he's doing. He’s interfering with an election

Acyn @Acyn wrote: Trump: And he's a disgrace to people that call themselves judges. And his clerk should not be allowed to be in his ear on every single question. You take a look at what's happening with her. She hates trump more than he does

neonzx wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:14 am

MN-Skeptic wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:06 am Trial starting today.

Look, he went wearing a BLUE tie instead of his signature red.

Former President Donald Trump is "throwing in the towel" in New York Attorney General Letitia James' case accusing him of business fraud, former Department of Justice (DOJ) official John Yoo warned on Monday.



Yoo, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general under former President George W. Bush, said Trump is deploying both a legal and political strategy during the trial and that they are at "great odds" with each other.

"I think that Trump has already decided he's going to lose on the law. Last week, the judge already made all the key findings against him. So what I think President Trump has done is turn this all into a political strategy," he said during an interview appearance on Fox News.



Yoo said Trump's remarks were "aimed at the political sphere" and "could only make sure that he's going to lose" his legal case. Attacking Judge Engoron makes it less likely that he would rule in the former president's favor, Yoo said, adding that Trump would likely lose the case on appeal.

"I think what you're seeing here is actually throwing in the towel on the law and using it instead as a platform to amplify his political message. But that political message will tube and tank his ability to prevail at all in this legal proceeding," he said.

AndyinPA wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:36 pm Anyone think he's aware enough to realize the dumbest thing he ever did was come down that escalator?