Trump’s New York trial over biz practices begins

Donald Trump at a commit to caucus rally in Iowa on Sunday. Pic/AP

The fraud lawsuit that could cost former President Donald Trump control of some of his most prized properties went to trial Monday, with New York state lawyers vowing to hold him accountable while he denounced the case as a politically motivated "scam". The civil case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses the business-mogul-turned-politician and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by habitually misstating his wealth in financial statements.

"They were lying year after year after year," Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James' office, said in an opening statement as Trump sat at the defense table. Defense lawyer Christopher Kise, in his opening, said that the financial statements were true, and he suggested the proof was in the outcome of Trump's business career. "He has made a fortune, literally, being right about real estate investments," Kise said.

Trump showed up voluntarily for the trial, with his control over Trump Tower and some other major real estate holdings in jeopardy. He has called the case "a scam" and said it is "an attempt to hurt me in an election".

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