Donald Trump's real estate fraud judge won't recuse based on 'forced encounter' with lawyer
Judge Arthur Engoron refused in a Thursday order to recuse himself from former President Donald Trump's $464 million New York civil fraud case based on what he described as a "nothingburger" allegation that he had an improper conversation with a lawyer.
Trump called for Engoron's recusal after NBC New York reported on May 8 that lawyer Adam Bailey said he approached Engoron to offer advice about a law at issue in Trump's case. Engoron later ruled that Trump and several co-defendants needed to come up with $464 million because they inflated the value of assets over several years to get better loan and insurance terms. Almost all of that judgment – about $454 million – applies just to Trump and some of his businesses.
Even though the trial concluded, Engoron continues to have jurisdiction over the case because he placed restrictions on defendants as part of the ruling, including ordering an independent monitor to continue overseeing the Trump Organization for at least three years.
Lawyers and a spokesperson for Trump didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Judge 'accosted' in 'forced encounter'
Trump argued that Engoron's conversation with Bailey violated a rule restricting a judge's ability to consult an expert.
In his Thursday order, Engoron said Bailey "accosted and started haranguing" him about the fraud statute at issue in Trump's case.
"I did not initiate, welcome, encourage, engage in, or learn from, much less enjoy, Bailey's tirade," Engoron wrote in the order. "I did not base any part of any of my rulings on it, as Bailey has outlandishly, mistakenly, and defamatorily claimed."
Engoron described the exchange as a "90-second incident," a "forced encounter," and a "nothingburger."
The case is currently on appeal. In March, a New York appeals court said Trump and his co-defendants could post a $175 million bond – rather than a bond for the full financial judgment – in order to shield New York Attorney General Letitia James from seizing Trump assets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Nothingburger': Trump civil fraud judge won't recuse from $464M case
