# NY AG Letitia James drops the (civil) hammer {On Trump & Family} \[9/21/2022\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 21, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991 "2022-09-21T16:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/462 "2023-10-03T01:59:57Z")
Trump: C’mon Jesse Waters, lets, in a totally heterosexual way, just get it on! ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/463 "2023-10-03T02:37:34Z")
I don’t understand why Trump’s lawyers continue to argue the same defense despite it not being applicable. They argued that Trump had no intention to defraud, but the judge already found, as a matter of law, Trump did in fact commit fraud. At this point, why double down and continue to argue there was no intent to defraud? That defense literally can’t work at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/464 "2023-10-03T02:38:30Z")
Ya work with what ya got. And sometimes, ya got nuttin’. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/465 "2023-10-03T02:44:28Z")
To preserve the argument for appeal? They might be trying to show that the judge’s initial error on the summary judgment has tainted their ability to make full answer and defence on all the other counts? I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/466 "2023-10-03T03:48:37Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > At this point, why double down and continue to argue there was no intent to defraud? That defense literally can’t work at this point. The attorneys are under Trump’s spell. His MO is to keep repeating things, even when they are false, because if you repeat it enough, it becomes accepted and true. At least, that’s how it’s been working outside a courtroom. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/467 "2023-10-03T04:05:24Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I don’t understand why Trump’s lawyers continue to argue the same defense despite it not being applicable. They argued that Trump had no intention to defraud, but the judge already found, as a matter of law, Trump did in fact commit fraud. At this point, why double down and continue to argue there was no intent to defraud? That defense literally can’t work at this point. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > Ya work with what ya got. And sometimes, ya got nuttin’. Exactly. I had to laugh when I saw this posted elsewhere on the web, earlier today (all errors are as in the original): > [@](#): > > Trump’s attorney are practicing the old adage > If the facts are on your side hammer the facts > > If the law is on your side hammer the law > > If the facts and the law aren’t on your side hammer the table > > Lot of table banging from trumps lawyers ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/468 "2023-10-03T09:14:20Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I don’t understand why Trump’s lawyers continue to argue the same defense despite it not being applicable. They argued that Trump had no intention to defraud, but the judge already found, as a matter of law, Trump did in fact commit fraud. At this point, why double down and continue to argue there was no intent to defraud? That defense literally can’t work at this point. “Your Honor, my client forgot that fraud was illegal.” H/t to Steve Martin ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/469 "2023-10-03T10:37:33Z")
> [@mjmartin](#): > > I can’t imagine it would be a great investment. If Trump loses in 2024, or is convicted in at least one of his trials, having the TRUMP sign on the side of a building is going to be even more toxic. Outside of Trumpland, it’s been toxic for years … > **[Trump sign removed from downtown Toronto hotel](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/trump-sign-removed-from-downtown-toronto-hotel/article35721318/)** > > The building’s owner, JCF Capital, announced a deal last month that would see the U.S. President’s name removed from the property > **[TRUMP Vancouver hotel name signs finally removed | Urbanized](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/trump-vancouver-hotel-sign-removed)** > > Signs spelling out "Trump" have finally been removed from the former Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/470 "2023-10-03T13:17:20Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > At this point, why double down and continue to argue there was no intent to defraud? That defense literally can’t work at this point. Are they just stating “There was no intent to defraud”, or are they actually trying to _explain_ why there was no intent? I mean, if you make the same “mistake” in almost every case, and that mistake always benefits you at the expense of someone else, well, that looks awfully intentional. I suppose it could all be an accident, but you’d have to explain that, not just assert it. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/471 "2023-10-03T13:29:26Z")
He’s just really really lucky. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/472 "2023-10-03T13:34:35Z")
the lawyers on the various shows yest. were saying one trump lawyer was arguing for appeal, the other was doing theatr for trump. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/473 "2023-10-03T15:08:01Z")
Yeah, Trump’s lawyers are arguing something that has already been decided. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/474 "2023-10-03T15:11:19Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Trump’s lawyers are arguing something that has already been decided. The strategy here is “I’ve totally tlost his case–they got me dead to rights. Only thing to do is to bitch in public about the biased judge, racist DA, rigged system, so when I get a ‘Guilty Of Course’ verdict, I can say ‘Told ya so.’” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/475 "2023-10-03T15:27:41Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > The attorneys are under Trump’s spell. [Lead attorney Alina Habba has been a senior advisor for MAGA Inc. for nearly a year.](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/trump-attorney-alina-habba-joins-maga-inc) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/476 "2023-10-03T15:34:02Z")
It seems Trump continues to work on the child-like defense of “NO YOU!” > Former President Donald Trump continued to attack New York Attorney General Letitia James and the judge in his civil case, Arthur Engoron, as he arrived at the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday for the second day of his civil fraud trial > > “Her numbers are fraudulent — she’s a fraud,” Trump said of James. “And this case should be dismissed.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyEcks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnnyecks/32/18197_2.png) [@JohnnyEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyEcks)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/477 "2023-10-03T15:35:25Z")
I’m not following this too closely- what’s the deal with his babbling about the statute of limitations after yesterday session? ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/478 "2023-10-03T15:35:59Z")
After court adjourned yesterday, Trump took the opportunity to campaign more in front of the cameras. He claimed that he was glad that the court had agreed with the ruling that Trump had received on appeal was recognized by the court. This ruling determined that the Statute of Limitations ran out in 2014, so they were not applicable. Since that comprised 80% of the state’s case, it was a win. I wondered about that. If true, then this could be disastrous (or not, depending on your acceptance level of corruption). Well, Judge Engoron explained that. Per CNN reporting (on their [Live Updates](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-fraud-trial-new-york-10-03-23/index.html), so I can’t link directly) > Engoron clarified a comment he made Monday about testimony related to 2011 financial statements being a “waste of time.” He told Kevin Wallace, a lawyer for the attorney general’s office, to get to his point after three hours of testimony from a former Trump accountant. > > "Mr. Wallace promised to connect the dots,” Engoron said. > > An appellate court ruled that the statute of limitations applied to 2014, and Trump’s lawyers have pushed to dismiss allegations about deals that occurred before then. > > Engoron, however, said that he has not changed last week’s ruling and his comments in court Monday afternoon only addressed evidence and testimony admissible at trial. > > Engoron noted that the attorney general is suing Trump not on the underlying transactions but on the financial statements that referenced them, which occurred after 2014 and are included in the AG’s claims. In short, yes, the Judge said the SOL applies to transactions prior to 2014, but the records need not be tossed. I’m guessing he is saying the SOL applies to crimes committed prior to 2014, not the records. Perhaps another appeals court would need to agree or disagree with him, but that is his ruling, so lets go on. I was concerned because I could find nothing on whether or not Trump’s comment yesterday evening meant anything. Most news outlets didn’t even mention it, and the Nut-Job News channels were saying, “Whelp, this thing is over. The Judge has already thrown out 80% of the case! Trump is Exonerated!” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/479 "2023-10-03T16:29:50Z")
So Trump has just said he’s going to take the witness stand in this case. Should be quite a show. Too bad for him no live cameras in the courtroom. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/480 "2023-10-03T16:31:58Z")
He’s already on the state’s witness list, so he may not have a choice. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/481 "2023-10-03T16:32:57Z")
Yes, I’m aware he is. But affirmatively stating he’s going to take the stand implies he intends to say something more than, “Fifth,” in response to every question. At least, that’s how I take it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=25)