Trump fraud trial live updates: Ivanka testifies at New York court - BBC News

girlfreddy OP , 8 months ago

The prosecution starts with some easy questions, asking Ivanka Trump to recap her work history in regards to the Trump Organization.

She says that she briefly worked for a prominent New York City developer before joining “our family business”.

She says she "cut my teeth on various elements of the business”.

She rose through the company as she "proved myself… and was given more responsibilities”.

Ivanka eventually became an executive vice president like her brothers Eric and Don Jr, but left the Trump Organization role in 2017 when she joined her father in the White House.

girlfreddy OP , 8 months ago

The state has just called Ivanka Trump to the witness stand - who is not yet present in the courtroom.

Judge Engoron jokes: “Who is she?”

A few minutes later Ivanka shows up in court and is now being sworn in.

girlfreddy OP , 8 months ago

Why the Attorney General wants to question Ivanka

Ivanka Trump was intimately involved in running her father’s business.

In particular, prosecutors say she took the lead on negotiating and securing financing with Deutsche Bank for properties including Trump Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Trump Chicago and the Old Post Office in Washington DC.

The interest rates on the loans were low because they required a personal guarantee from Trump and evidence of his liquidity and net worth.

Hence, prosecutors argue, Trump’s annual statement of financial condition were central to those loans and saved him more than $100m (£81.4m).

Donald Trump’s testimony was that the banks didn’t care about his statements, which he said included a “worthless clause” disclaimer.

Former NY federal prosecutor Kristy Greenberg says that Ivanka’s testimony could contradict that assertion.

She expects Ivanka will be asked many questions about her conservations with the banks and her family that led to securing those low rates.