Donald Trump paid an expert witness nearly $1 million to testify at his New York civil fraud trial, but the judge overseeing the case has stated that the witness “lost all credibility” by steadfastly defending the former U.S. president’s business records.
The witness, Eli Bartov, who is a New York University accounting professor, testified on Dec. 7 that he did not see any evidence of fraud in Trump’s family real estate company’s financial statements. The New York state’s attorney general alleges that the company overstated property values to secure favorable loan and insurance terms.
Bartov claimed that he spent 650 hours on the case at a rate of $1,350 per hour, resulting in total compensation of around $877,500. He revealed that his invoices were paid by both the Trump Organization and by Save America, a political action committee supporting Trump’s 2024 election campaign.
The judge, Justice Arthur Engoron, dismissed several requests by Trump for the case to be decided in his favor, expressing strong criticism for Bartov’s testimony. Engoron wrote, “All that his testimony proves is that for a million or so dollars, some experts will say whatever you want them to say.” He also stated, “By doggedly attempting to justify every misstatement, Professor Bartov lost all credibility.”
Bartov, in an email, disputed Engoron’s interpretation of his testimony, asserting that the “overarching point” was not that Trump’s statements were “accurate in every respect.” He emphasized that his testimony had acknowledged inadvertent errors in Trump’s statements and stated that no other experts had refuted his testimony or testified to finding fraud.
Trump’s lawyers did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The trial has mainly focused on damages after Engoron ruled before it started on allegations that Trump and his adult sons manipulated financial statements to deceive banks and insurers. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, is seeking $250 million in penalties and wants Trump banned from the New York state real estate business.
Trump, who is the top contender for the Republican presidential nomination, has denied any wrongdoing and has labeled the case as politically driven. Engoron acknowledged the defense’s argument that property valuations are subjective, but he also noted that Trump’s statements were “replete with examples of material misstatements.” He stated, “A lie is still a lie.”
Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for Jan. 11. Trump also faces four state and federal criminal indictments, including charges related to his attempts to overturn his loss to Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Bill Berkrot)
