Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump have taken action in his New York civil fraud case by filing a motion requesting that the judge step down due to alleged inappropriate communications. In the motion filed with the New York State Supreme Court, Trump’s legal team accuses Judge Arthur Engoron of engaging in conversations with a New York City real estate attorney that were deemed incompatible with his role as a fair and impartial judge.
The alleged conversation between Judge Engoron and the attorney involved discussions about the case, the authority of the New York State Attorney General, and the potential impacts of the court’s decision on business in the state. Trump’s spokesperson, Alina Habba, stated that these communications violate the New York Code of Judicial Conduct, which aims to ensure a fair trial for all parties involved. As a result, it is being argued that Judge Engoron should recuse himself from the case.
The motion also references an interview in which the attorney indicated that his input was related to the case, despite not mentioning Trump by name. This raises concerns about the impartiality of the judge and the fairness of the trial proceedings. In a previous ruling in February, Judge Engoron found Trump liable for over $350 million in damages in the civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The filing also mentions that the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has initiated an investigation into the alleged communications between Judge Engoron and the attorney. It is emphasized that any communication outside the presence of the parties or their lawyers must be closely examined, and if deemed inappropriate, the court should notify all parties and consider recusal.
In light of these developments, Trump’s legal team is requesting that Judge Engoron recuse himself from the case or, alternatively, hold an evidentiary hearing to address the matter. The motion concludes with a call for appropriate action to ensure a fair and unbiased legal process.
It is essential to uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality in judicial proceedings to maintain public trust in the legal system. The outcome of this motion and the ongoing investigation into the alleged communications will have significant implications for the future of the civil fraud case involving former President Trump.