International
Donald Trump found liable for fraud in New York civil case
Donald Trump found liable for fraud in New York civil case
A New York judge found Donald Trump and his family business fraudulently inflated the value of his properties and other assets, in a major defeat for the former U.S. president that could severely hamper his ability to do business in the state.
The scathing decision by Justice Arthur Engoron of New York state court in Manhattan will make it easier for state Attorney General Letitia James to establish damages at a scheduled Oct. 2 trial.
Engoron also ordered the cancellation of certificates that let some of Trump’s businesses, including the Trump Organization, operate in New York, and ordered the appointment of a receiver to manage the businesses’ dissolution.
The judge described how Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, the Trump Organization and other defendants made up valuations and inflated Trump’s net worth to suit their business needs.
“That is a fantasy world, not the real world,” Engoron wrote.
The judge also sanctioned the defendants’ lawyers for making “preposterous” legal arguments and fueling their clients’ “obstreperous” conduct.
Trump and the other defendants have argued that they never committed fraud, and that the challenged transactions were profitable. They plan to appeal Engoron’s decision.
“Today’s outrageous decision is completely disconnected from the facts and governing law,” Christopher Kise, a lawyer for Trump, said in a statement. “President Trump and his family will seek all available appellate remedies to rectify this miscarriage of justice.”
READ ALSO:
- How I will tackle inflation, naira, forex crises – CBN Gov, Cardoso
-
Ondo Assembly vows to continue impeachment process against deputy gov, despite court order
-
Osimhen’s agent threatens legal action against Napoli
James said she looks forward to presenting the rest of her case at trial.
“It’s a devastating ruling,” said Bill Black, distinguished scholar in residence for financial regulation at the University of Minnesota Law School. He said cancelling business certificates could hurt Trump’s ability to make money.
“If the decision is upheld, they have to liquidate the LLCs which actually hold the enormous bulk of the assets,” Black said, referring to limited liability companies.
Trump is seeking the Republican presidential nomination for 2024 and has maintained a commanding lead in the race despite the criminal charges he faces in multiple cases.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called accusations that he committed fraud “ridiculous and untrue,” and blasted Engoron as a “DERANGED” judge doing the bidding of James, a Democrat.
“This is Democrat Political Lawfare, and a Witch Hunt at a level never seen before,” Trump wrote. “If they can do this to me, they can do this to YOU!”
Trump has repeatedly asserted without evidence that indictments he faces are “witch hunts.”
NOT ‘IMMATERIAL’
James sued Trump in September 2022, accusing him, three of his adult children and the Trump Organization of lying for a decade about asset values and his net worth to defraud banks and insurers into providing better terms.
Engoron said James submitted “conclusive evidence” that Trump had overstated his net worth by between $812 million and $2.2 billion.
“Even in the world of high finance, this court cannot endorse a proposition that finds a misstatement of at least $812 million dollars to be ‘immaterial,'” he wrote.
READ ALSO:
-
Cultism: DSS grills Ogun LG chairman, 2 others over Sagamu killings
-
Mohbad: ‘I have no hand in his death’ – Naira Marley speaks on returning to Nigeria
-
BREAKING: Senate confirms Cardoso as CBN gov, deputies
The judge said Trump’s overvaluations included his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, his penthouse apartment in Manhattan’s Trump Tower, and various office buildings and golf courses.
He took particular issue with Trump’s claim that the penthouse was 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters), nearly three times its actual size, resulting in an overvaluation of as much as $207 million.
“A discrepancy of this order of magnitude, by a real estate developer sizing up his own living space of decades, can only be considered fraud,” Engoron wrote.
The judge said Trump also grossly overvalued Mar-a-Lago, estimating it was worth as much as $612.1 million, though an assessor said its market value was no more than $27.6 million.
Engoron also chided Trump for offering defenses in a deposition that were “wholly without basis,” including that there was nothing wrong with how he valued properties in a given year if their values subsequently went up.
“He also seems to imply that the numbers cannot be inflated because he could find a ‘buyer from Saudi Arabia’ to pay any price he suggests,” the judge wrote.
SLEW OF LITIGATION
Engoron’s ruling comes three months after a state appeals court said that some of James’ claims were too old because statutes of limitations had expired in either July 2014 or February 2016.
READ ALSO:
- Kemi Olunloyo accuses MohBad’s wife of sleeping with Naira Marley, others
-
NURTW NEC releases guidelines for delegate conference
-
15-year-old student commits suicide in classroom
Engoron rejected Trump’s argument that the decision essentially gutted James’ lawsuit, which James has said reflected a series of “continuing wrongs” that she could prove at trial.
The appeals court dismissed one defendant, Trump’s daughter Ivanka, from the case.
Trump also faces a slew of other litigation.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges in four indictments accusing him of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat by Democrat Joe Biden, hoarding classified materials, and covering up hush money payments to a porn star.
Trump also faces a January civil trial over damages he owes for defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll, who claimed he raped her. He has denied wrongdoing.
Engoron’s decision does not automatically mean James’ fraud case will go to trial next Monday.
Trump has sued to delay the trial, accusing Engoron and James of ignoring the appeals court order to narrow the case.
He and the other defendants have said this made it impossible to prepare for trial because they did not know which claims they would have to defend against.
The appeals court is expected to rule on the request for a delay this week.
Donald Trump found liable for fraud in New York civil case
Reuters
![]()
International
Trump Makes Stunning Admission: ‘I Will Always Hate Some of My Enemies’
US President Donald Trump has declared that he cannot forgive some of his political enemies, even if doing so were necessary to enter heaven, insisting that he would rather be honest about his feelings than pretend to forgive them.
Trump made the remarks during an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, aired on Sunday, November 8, 2026, while discussing his religious beliefs, death and political grievances.
CBS correspondent Ross Douthat asked Trump whether he would forgive political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, if forgiveness were a condition for entering paradise.
Trump questioned whether pretending to forgive people he disliked would amount to being dishonest.
“Well, then I wouldn’t be real, would I?” he asked.
Pressed for a direct answer, the president replied: “The answer is no. I want to be honest, no.”
He linked his resentment towards some political opponents to what he described as their treatment of him, including his criminal indictments and two impeachments.
READ ALSO:
- Fayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations
- INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Begins Cleanup Ahead of 2027 Elections
- Tension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally
“I do hate some of my enemies. I think they’ve been terrible. Look what they’ve put me through, the weaponisation. I got indicted, I got impeached,” he said.
When Douthat asked whether his achievements and extraordinary life could help him find it in his heart to forgive his opponents, Trump maintained that he probably could not.
“I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will,” he added.
The conversation also turned to religion and life after death, with Douthat asking Trump where he believed he would go when he died.
Describing himself as a religious person, Trump said he hoped to enter heaven.
“I’m a religious person, so in theory, I go to heaven,” he said.
Douthat also referred to Trump’s remarks at the memorial service of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, where Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, spoke about the importance of Christian forgiveness.
The exchange prompted questions about whether the president could reconcile his religious beliefs with his refusal to forgive some political opponents.
Towards the end of the interview, Douthat asked how Trump wanted his presidency to be remembered 100 years from now.
Trump said he wanted to be remembered as the president who “made America great again”, a reference to his long-standing political slogan.
His comments have attracted attention because of the contrast between the Christian message of forgiveness raised during the interview and his admission that he remains unwilling to forgive some political opponents.
Trump Makes Stunning Admission: ‘I Will Always Hate Some of My Enemies’
![]()
International
Job Seeker Steals Bugatti CEO’s £2m Car After Finding Keys Inside
A man who reportedly visited the headquarters of luxury car manufacturer Bugatti in search of employment allegedly drove away in the company chief executive’s £2 million sports car after discovering that its keys had been left inside.
The incident involved Mate Rimac, the Croatian businessman and chief executive of Bugatti, whose personal Bugatti Chiron was stolen from the company’s production and technology campus near Zagreb, Croatia.
The suspect, a Croatian man in his mid-30s, reportedly entered the facility looking for a job before spotting the high-performance vehicle with its keys inside and driving away.
Rimac disclosed the incident in a series of posts on Instagram, explaining that he had routinely left the keys inside his vehicles because he considered Croatia a safe place.
He admitted that the habit had continued for years without any incident until the Chiron disappeared.
The theft was discovered after an employee alerted colleagues that an unfamiliar person had driven away in the expensive vehicle.
Rimac immediately contacted the police and used the car’s built-in tracking and telemetry system to monitor its movements.
The tracking technology provided information about the vehicle’s location, speed and fuel level, allowing the Bugatti team to follow its journey and share updates with law enforcement officers.
READ ALSO:
- Netanyahu Faces Political Setback as Israeli President Picks Rival to Form Government
- 2027: Tinubu Challenges Atiku to Explain How He Financed University
- Afenifere Crisis: ‘There Is Only One Afenifere’, Secretary Insists Amid Breakup Allegations
After discovering that the stolen vehicle was heading towards Slovenia, Rimac jumped into a Porsche 911 and pursued it.
The pursuit continued across borders, with the Chiron eventually reaching Austria. Rimac and his team maintained communication with the police through a group chat, providing updates that helped Austrian officers locate and intercept the vehicle.
The suspect was subsequently arrested in Austria, where Rimac later met him at a police station.
According to the Bugatti boss, the man explained that he had initially visited the company’s premises to seek employment but decided to take the car after noticing that its keys were inside.
Rimac said he was not planning to press charges against the suspect. However, he acknowledged that the man could still face prosecution because of the high value of the stolen vehicle.
The CEO also revealed that he had considered giving the suspect a lift home to his family but police officers did not allow him to do so.
The recovered Chiron sustained some damage during the incident, although Rimac said it could be repaired.
The businessman thanked the Austrian police for their intervention, saying he was relieved that nobody was injured during the incident.
He also admitted that the experience had taught him an expensive lesson, promising never again to leave the keys inside his vehicles.
The Bugatti Chiron, unveiled in 2016, is one of the world’s most powerful luxury hypercars. The model has a starting price of about €2.4 million, equivalent to approximately £2 million, and a manufacturer-limited top speed of 420 kilometres per hour.
Bugatti operates under Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture in which Rimac Group holds a majority stake.
The unusual theft has attracted international attention because of the vehicle’s value, the suspect’s reported reason for visiting the facility and the extraordinary cross-border pursuit involving the Bugatti chief executive.
Job Seeker Steals Bugatti CEO’s £2m Car After Finding Keys Inside
![]()
International
Netanyahu Faces Political Setback as Israeli President Picks Rival to Form Government
Netanyahu Faces Political Setback as Israeli President Picks Rival to Form Government
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form the country’s next government, dealing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a major political setback after a closely contested general election.
Herzog announced his decision on Saturday, November 7, 2026, following consultations with political parties elected to the 26th Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, emerged with the highest number of recommendations from lawmakers, receiving the backing of representatives from factions controlling 67 seats, compared with 46 seats for Netanyahu. Representatives of another faction controlling seven seats did not recommend either candidate.
The decision followed the October 27 general election, which left neither Netanyahu’s governing bloc nor the opposition grouping with the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition secured 53 seats, while the four-party opposition alliance led by Eisenkot won 48. The two Arab-led parties made significant gains, securing a combined 19 seats, placing them in a potentially decisive position in negotiations over the next government.
Eisenkot is expected to receive the formal mandate from Herzog at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, November 8.
READ ALSO:
- 2027: Tinubu Challenges Atiku to Explain How He Financed University
- Afenifere Crisis: ‘There Is Only One Afenifere’, Secretary Insists Amid Breakup Allegations
- Illicit Donations: Adeboye Orders RCCG to Refund Billions Traced to Church Projects
Under the Israeli government-formation process, he will have 28 days to negotiate a coalition, with the possibility of a further 14-day extension.
The former military chief will face difficult negotiations because his opposition alliance does not have enough seats to govern independently. Although the Arab-led parties have endorsed him, Eisenkot has previously expressed reservations about forming a coalition with them.
One possible route is to establish a minority government with support from Arab-led lawmakers on confidence votes and key legislation. Another option would involve reaching an agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties that have traditionally aligned with Netanyahu.
However, both options could create tensions within Eisenkot’s own political alliance, particularly among members who oppose relying on Arab parties or making concessions to religious parties.
A broader national unity government involving Netanyahu’s Likud party is another possibility, although the two leaders have significant disagreements over key political and security issues.
Eisenkot has previously ruled out serving in a government alongside Netanyahu, while criticising the prime minister’s handling of the war in Gaza and his reliance on far-right political partners.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, had sought to prevent an opposition-led government from emerging with the support of Arab-led parties.
Shortly before Herzog announced his decision, Netanyahu called for a national unity government and warned against the formation of an administration dependent on what he described as supporters of terrorism, referring to the Arab-led parties.
His comments drew criticism from Eisenkot’s political camp, which accused the prime minister of using divisive language to undermine the opposition’s efforts to form a government.
The Arab-led parties, which represent a significant section of Israel’s Palestinian citizens, have indicated their willingness to support efforts to end Netanyahu’s long tenure in office.
Their combined 19 seats could provide Eisenkot with the parliamentary backing needed to overcome the deadlock, although securing a workable arrangement remains uncertain.
Eisenkot, 66, served as chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces from 2015 to 2019 before entering politics in 2022. He later served as an observer in Netanyahu’s wartime cabinet following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
He subsequently became one of Netanyahu’s most prominent critics, particularly over the conduct of the war in Gaza, the government’s security decisions and the influence of far-right politicians.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the stipulated period, Herzog may give another candidate the opportunity to try. If the process remains unsuccessful, Israel could be forced into another general election.
Netanyahu will remain prime minister in a caretaker capacity until a new government is sworn in.
Herzog’s decision therefore represents an important development in Israel’s political transition, but the final outcome will depend on whether Eisenkot can overcome divisions among opposition parties and secure sufficient parliamentary support.
Netanyahu Faces Political Setback as Israeli President Picks Rival to Form Government
![]()
-
Sports3 days agoBREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
-
News3 days agoPower Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity
-
Sports2 days agoMessi Breaks MLS Record, Becomes First Player To Win Back-to-Back Golden Boots
-
News2 days agoOne Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta
-
Auto1 day agoFour-day Abuja International Motor Fair begins tomorrow Nov 10
-
Politics2 days ago‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding
-
Politics22 hours agoTension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally
-
metro2 days ago[ICYMI] Lagos Summons DisCos, Regulators Over Persistent Power Outages, Seeks 24-Hour Electricity
