Many Americans appear to agree with former President Donald Trump and his claim that the Democrat-led Department of Justice and Democrat prosecutors, attorney generals and judges have not dealt with him fairly.
Despite facing four indictments and an astounding 91 criminal counts, Trump’s bid for the presidency seems energized, and he continues to increase his lead over GOP rivals and President Joe Biden.
Several recent polls show Trump more than 40 points ahead of his closest GOP rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and, for the first time, narrowly beating Biden in a head-to-head match-up. Notably, Trump’s margin of victory over Biden increases if third-party candidate Cornel West enters the race.
The latest legal ruling that Trump disputes came from Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, a Democrat, who ruled on a recommendation from Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Judge Engoron ruled the former president committed fraud by inflating the value of his wealth to secure loans and entice investors.
In his 35-page judgment, Engoron stated that Trump made “unequivocally false statements to secure favorable terms with financial institutions,” according to the New York Post.
The New York Post reported that the “bombshell” ruling “sent shockwaves through political — and real estate — circles.
Many are bewildered by Engoron’s ruling — particularly his calculus in determining that Trump overvalued his assets.
Observers have noted that Engoron reprimanded Trump for “overvaluing” his Mar-a-Lago property by 2,300%.
Engoron listed the property’s correct value at $18 million. However, market analysts note that the fair market value exceeds $300 million.
The Post report includes a quote from a prominent Palm Beach real estate broker who spoke to a reporter on the condition of anonymity. He said: “It’s utterly delusional to think that property is only worth $18 million.
Forbes appraised at $160 million in 2018. In the last five years, the property has undergone extensive renovations, and property values in the area have significantly increased.
Another real estate expert noted: “If that property were on the market today, I would list it at around $300 million, minimum … at least. He also has the separate golf course minutes away.”
The post included several fair market comparable properties that clearly validated that Engoron vastly undervalued Trump’s estate, which leads many to believe the judge miscalculated Trump’s total assets when making his ruling.
Engoron’s ruling included revoking the New York “business certificates” held by the Trump Organization and his other New York-based business. Trump has also been mandated an independent third party to oversee the “dissolution of the canceled LLCs.”
In response, Trump denounced Engoron and James as coordinating a “Witch Hunt.” The former president wrote:
“It is a great company that has been slandered and maligned by this politically motivated Witch Hunt. It is very unfair, and I call for help from the highest courts in New York State, or the Federal System, to intercede. THIS IS NOT AMERICA.”
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