Donald Trump’s Million-Dollar Expert ‘Lost All Credibility,’ Judge Said
An expert witness paid nearly $1 million by former United States President Donald Trump to testify at his New York civil fraud trial “lost all credibility,” the judge overseeing the case said on Monday.
Eli Bartov, a New York University accounting professor, testified before the court on 7 December. Eli Bartov said that he did not see any evidence of fraud in Donald Trump’s family real estate company’s financial statements and business records.
The judge presiding over the high-stakes civil business fraud trial of Trump questioned the credibility of the witness. The judge said that his testimony was influenced by his nearly $900,000 fee.
Eli Bartov testified that he spent 650 hours on the case at a rate of $1,350 per hour. He said that his invoices were paid both by the Trump Organization and by Save America, a leadership political action committee founded and controlled by Trump.
What’s the controversy?
Justice Arthur Engoron said, “All that his testimony proves is that for a million or so dollars, some experts will say whatever you want them to say.” Justice Arthur Engoron said that Eli Bartov “doggedly” justified the former U.S. president’s business records.
Justice Arthur Engoron wrote in a scathing denial of several requests by Donald Trump for the case to be decided in his favor, “By doggedly attempting to justify every misstatement, Professor Bartov lost all credibility.”
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However, Eli Bartov said that he was “shocked” by the judge’s remarks. The expert denied that his payment played a role in his assessment at the New York civil fraud trial. In an email, Eli Bartov said that Donald Trump’s statements were “accurate in every respect.”
Christopher Kise, a lawyer for Trump, said in a statement that the ruling was a complete failure. However, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron slammed Bartov.
New York Attorney General Letitia James wants Donald Trump banned from the New York state real estate business.
Donald Trump is an early front-runner for the 2024 presidential nomination. He reportedly aims to become the next president of the US.
Donald Trump is facing state cases in New York and Georgia because prosecutors charged him with falsifying business records.
Jack Smith, Special Counsel for the US Department of Justice, also filed charges against Trump. It can be challenging for him to win the election.
