- The New York attorney general has asked a Manhattan judge for a quick ruling in her Trump fraud case.
- Attorney General Letitia James wants the judge to immediately order Trump to submit to a financial check.
- Judge Arthur Engoron has set October 31 for courtroom arguments and a possible decision.
Donald Trump could get some scary news on Halloween: A Manhattan judge has set an October 31 hearing on New York Attorney General Letitia James’ demand that the former president’s golf course and real estate empire be put under an independent financial monitor.
New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron agreed Thursday night to a court date for Halloween morning.
Engoron will preside over that date as lawyers for Trump and the attorney general argue in their court over whether Trump’s business, which James sued for fraud on Sept. 21, is so riddled with ongoing fraud that it needs immediate financial control.
Also Thursday night, the judge ruled that James can simply email a copy of his lawsuit to Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, and Eric Trump’s attorneys, and that this would suffice as formal notice of the lawsuit. .
In the three weeks since the lawsuit was filed, Habba has shied away from formally agreeing to service the lawsuit, as have Eric Trump’s attorneys, the attorney general complained, in court papers accusing the Trump side of “gambling.” .
Habba and Eric Trump’s attorney of record, Clifford S. Robert, have not responded to repeated Insider requests for comment on the lawsuit filing.
Habba issued a press release early Thursday calling the attorney general’s latest request for relief a “gimmick,” insisting: “We have repeatedly assured, in writing, that the Trump Organization has no intention of doing anything inappropriate.”
James’ office awaits a Halloween order prohibiting the Trump Organization from “engaging in fraudulent or illegal acts,” according to court documents filed Thursday.
He has asked the judge to further bar Trump from transferring any company assets to Trump Organization II, a company he registered with the New York State Department the same day James sued him, his family and his company. .
It has also asked the judge to appoint an independent monitor “to oversee compliance” with any fraud or asset transfer bans the judge imposes.
The decision could come the same day. Engoron repeatedly issued same-day rulings after previous oral arguments related to James’ investigation into alleged financial improprieties in the former president’s business.
Trump’s side will have until Oct. 24 to file documents opposing the attorney general’s demands; The attorney general will then have until October 27 to respond with her own documents.
