DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Cohen once proclaimed he'd “take a bullet” for Donald Trump. Trump is expected to be in court for the highly anticipated testimony, detouring from his usual campaign haunts to the Manhattan courtroom for a sixth day this month. Trump attended the trial for two days last week — having planned the trip when it was expected that Cohen would be testifying. Trump is expected to testify later in the trial. James, a Democrat, has credited Cohen as the impetus for her civil investigation, which led to the fraud lawsuit being decided at the trial.

Persons: — Michael Cohen, he'd “, Donald Trump, Trump, detouring, Cohen, wasn't, ”, Letitia James, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, Trump’s, “, it’ll, president's Organizations: ” New York, Trump Organization, Trump, Democrat, Deutsche Bank, Buffalo Bills, Forbes, White Locations: Manhattan, Congress, Sisak, x.com

☆ Deductions for megamansions and Ferraris: The IRS details tax dodges by the ultra-wealthy and says it recently squeezed 100 millionaires for $122 million in missing taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

There's more enforcement to come, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act infused billions of dollars into the previously perpetually underfunded and paper-laden IRS. "Inflation Reduction Act funding gives us the ability to take swift and aggressive action to improve compliance and close the tax gap." Since the passage of the IRA, the IRS has closed several cases of high-earning taxpayers getting creative with their business expenses and deductions. The IRS is specifically taking aim at Americans who earn over $1 million, and have over $250,000 in tax debt.

Persons: it's, —, Daniel Werfel, That's, Werfel Organizations: IRS, Service, dodgers, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini Locations: COVID

A state oil company PDVSA's logo is seen at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela May 17, 2019. The U.S. on Wednesday lifted most restrictions on Venezuela for six months for producing, selling and exporting oil to its chosen markets. But it is not expected to significantly boost Venezuela's deteriorated oil production or immediately lead to stronger exports. Venezuela can now receive direct payments for goods or services under the license issued by OFAC, which oversees American sanctions. PDVSA and Venezuela's oil ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Persons: Ivan Alvarado, PDVSA, Washington, Pedro Tellechea, Francisco Monaldi, Rice, Nicolas Maduro's, Monaldi, Maduro, Spain's, Joe Biden's, Marianna Parraga, Will Dunham, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Treasury's, Foreign Assets, Oil, OFAC, Washington, Chevron, Baker Institute, Venezuelan, Citgo Petroleum, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, India's Reliance Industries, Nayara Energy, Eni, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Venezuelan, U.S, Asia, PDVSA, United States, American, CHINA, EUROPE, China, India, PetroChina, Houston, Maduro, Washington

☆ Exclusive: US easing Venezuela oil sanctions after election deal -official
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Matt Spetalnick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023. The U.S. imposed tough sanctions on Venezuela to punish President Nicolas Maduro's government following his 2018 re-election, which the U.S. and other Western governments rejected as a sham. Since 2019, U.S. sanctions have banned state-run oil company PDVSA from exporting to its chosen markets. The official warned, however, that U.S. decisions on relaxed sanctions would depend on Maduro complying with the latest agreement and working toward free and fair elections. Some opposition figures told Reuters on Monday they doubt Maduro's administration will follow through on the election pledges.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Ebrahim Raisi, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Joe Biden's, Nicolas Maduro's, Biden, Donald Trump's, We're, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, Matt Spetalnick, Marianna Parraga, Mayela Armas, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan, U.S . State Department, Reuters, U.S, EIA, Biden, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, U.S, Maduro, Caribbean, OPEC, The U.S, Barbados, BARBADOS

[1/3] Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after giving a deposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James who sued him and his Trump Organization, in New York City, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - Donald Trump is set to appear in New York court on Tuesday for the third week of a civil fraud trial that could dismantle pillars of the former U.S. president’s business empire. The judge, Justice Arthur Engoron, found in September that Trump had engaged in fraud and ordered the dissolution of companies controlling crown jewels of his real estate portfolio, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. James is seeking at least $250 million in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr and Eric from running businesses in New York and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization. Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Donald Trump, Letitia James, Bing Guan, Trump, Michael Cohen, Jack Weisselberg, Allen Weisselberg, James, Arthur Engoron, Donald Jr, Eric, Engoron, Jack Queen, Noeleen Walder, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Trump, New York, Trump Organization, REUTERS, Democratic New York, White, Thomson Locations: New, New York City, U.S, New York, Iowa, Manhattan

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Tuesday after a more than $1 slide on Monday amid hopes the U.S. would ease sanctions on producer Venezuela and as Washington stepped up efforts to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. Both oil benchmarks surged last week on fears the conflict in the Middle East could widen, with global benchmark Brent gaining 7.5% in its highest weekly gain since February. The Biden administration has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time due to lack of recent investments. Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brent, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Washington, Joe Biden, Biden, Sudarshan Varadhan, Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill Organizations: Venezuela, U.S, West Texas, U.S ., Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Brent, Hamas, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Washington, Israel, Venezuela, Gaza, Iran

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell slightly on Tuesday after a more than $1 slide on Monday amid hopes the U.S. would ease sanctions on producer Venezuela and as Washington stepped up efforts to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. Venezuela's government and opposition are set to resume long-suspended talks on Tuesday that President Nicolas Maduro said would benefit the upcoming 2024 election, a move that could lead to Washington easing sanctions, multiple sources said. The Biden administration has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time due to lack of recent investments. Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Sonali Paul and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brent, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Washington, Joe Biden, Biden, Sudarshan Varadhan, Sonali Paul, Muralikumar Organizations: Venezuela, U.S, West Texas, U.S ., Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Brent, Hamas, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Washington, Israel, Venezuela, Gaza, Iran

☆ Oil steadies on hopes of Venezuela sanctions being eased
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices stabilised on Tuesday after a more than $1 slide on Monday amid hopes the U.S. would ease sanctions on producer Venezuela and as Washington stepped up efforts to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. Brent crude futures were up 3 cents at $89.68 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) were down 11 cents at $86.55 a barrel as of 0113 GMT. Both oil benchmarks surged last week on fears the conflict in the Middle East could widen, with global benchmark Brent gaining 7.5% in its highest weekly gain since February. The Biden administration has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time due to lack of recent investments.

Persons: Brent, Nicolas Maduro, Maduro's, Washington, Biden, Sudarshan Varadhan, Sonali Paul Organizations: Venezuela, U.S, West Texas, U.S ., Organization of, Petroleum, Brent, ANZ Research, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, U.S, Washington, Israel, Venezuela

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023. It was not immediately known how soon the U.S. might act or how far it could go with sanctions relief. U.S. sources have also said any relaxation of sanctions would be reversible if Maduro fails to meet his election commitments. Maduro, president since 2013, is expected to run for re-election but has not yet formalized his candidacy. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela to punish Maduro's government following a 2018 election that Washington considered a sham.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Ebrahim Raisi, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Joe Biden's, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Jorge Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Gerardo Blyde, Machado, Maduro's, Washington, Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Julia Symmes Cobb, Will Dunham, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union and United Nations, Reuters, U.S, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, WASHINGTON, U.S, Washington, Maduro, Barbados, Qatar, Houston

☆ Oil prices edge higher ahead of Biden Middle East trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Nicole Jao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummaryCompanies Biden travels to Middle East on WednesdayBiden trip will balance Israel support with containing warUS-Venezuela talks could see oil sanctions easeUPCOMING - U.S. oil inventory data from API and EIANEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday ahead of a trip by U.S. President Joe Biden to the Middle East that is likely to involve balancing support for Israel with trying to prevent any regional escalation of its war with Hamas. Fears the Middle East conflict could widen drove big gains in both oil benchmarks last week. The U.S. government has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time because of a lack of investment. Looking ahead, the oil market is waiting for U.S. oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, on Tuesday and the government's Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday.

Persons: Companies Biden, Joe Biden, Brent, Biden's, Edward Moya, Nicolas Maduro's, Washington, Phil Flynn, Nicole Jao, Paul Carsten, Sudarshan, Kim Coghill, Ed Osmond, Jan Harvey, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Companies, Middle East, Wednesday Biden, U.S, Israel, Hamas, . West Texas, Brent, Wednesday, OPEC, Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Price Futures, Saudi Aramco, American Petroleum Institute, government's Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Middle, Israel, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon, Washington, U.S, Saudi, OPEC, Russia, New York, London, Singapore

☆ Prosecutors say Sam Bankman-Fried got shady doctor to prescribe Adderall as judge denies greater access to pills during trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Katie Balevic | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sam Bankman-Fried's defense attorneys say he doesn't have enough Adderall. Before the trial began, they had written to the judge asking for "uninterrupted access" to the drug. AdvertisementAdvertisementProsecutors in Sam Bankman-Fried's trial raise concerns about the former cryptocurrency mogul's repeated requests for more Adderall during his criminal trial, claiming in court Monday that his doctor "has engaged in some suspect practices." AdvertisementAdvertisementBut, as Bankman-Fried's attorneys revisited their medicinal complaint in court on Monday, the prosecution accused them of using a sham doctor who overprescribes to patients. When Bankman-Fried's lawyers suggested stopping the trial until then, Kaplan refused.

Persons: Sam Bankman, SBF, —, mogul's, Danielle Sassoon, Lewis Kaplan, overprescribes, Sassoon, Mark Cohen, Fried, Cohen, Kaplan, hasn't Organizations: Service, US, Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Detention Center, Marshalls, Federal Bureau of Prisons Locations: Brooklyn

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Canada will help the Philippines detect illegal fishing with its satellite surveillance system under a new agreement, Philippine officials said Monday. Illegal and unregulated fishing is a problem across the Philippine archipelago, including in disputed areas of the South China Sea. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds but this was invalidated by an arbitration tribunal ruling in 2016. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesAside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have had overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes. Canada is among several Western countries that have recognized the 2016 arbitration ruling and called on countries, including China, to respect it.

Organizations: —, National Coast Watch Center of, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine, Foreign Affairs Department Locations: MANILA, Philippines, — Canada, Philippine, Manila, South China, Ottawa, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Canada

In a pretrial court filing, James’ office estimated that Trump exaggerated his wealth by as much as $3.6 billion. They've also called accountants Donald Bender and Camron Harris, whose firms Trump hired to prepare his financial statements. A retired Deutsche Bank official testified the financial statements were key to Trump securing hundreds of millions of dollars in loans. Weisselberg acknowledged that information in Trump’s financial statements wasn’t always accurate, such as valuing his penthouse based on the wrong size. In a decision last month, Engoron resolved the lawsuit's top claim, ruling that Trump committed years of fraud by inflating the value of assets in his financial statements.

Persons: — Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, Cohen, I’m, ” Cohen, Judge Arthur Engoron, It's, Trump, Letitia James, James ’, James, Eric, Donald Trump Jr, —, Allen Weisselberg, Jeffrey McConney, Weisselberg, ”, maligning, Patrick Birney, Mark Hawthorn, They've, Donald Bender, Camron Harris, wasn’t, “, Engoron, he'll, She's Organizations: New, Twitter, Trump, New York, Trump Organization, WHO, Longtime Trump Organization, Democrat, Deutsche Bank, Mar Locations: New York, Lago, Doral, Miami , Florida, Chicago, New York City, Manhattan, Georgia, Washington, Florida, __, Sisak, x.com

The negotiations, meant to provide a way out of Venezuela's long-running political and economic crisis, will take place in Barbados. The U.S. State Department celebrated the announcement of the return to talks but did not mention sanctions relief. Some members of the opposition said on Monday that they doubted Maduro would follow through on his promises. But with no substantial investment in Venezuela's oil sector for over a decade, any real oil output increase will take time, according to analysts. The return to talks between Maduro's government and the opposition was announced in a statement published by Norway, an observer.

Persons: Elvis Hidrobo Amoroso, Jesus Maria Casal, Venezuela's, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump's, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Maurel, PDVSA, Maduro's, Washington, Biden, John Barrasso, Mayela Armas, Matt Spetalnick, Marianna Parraga, Julia Symmes Cobb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Electoral Council, Primary Commission, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . State Department, Reuters, U.S, Republican U.S, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, WASHINGTON, HOUSTON, Washington, U.S, Maduro, Barbados, United States, Venezuelan, The U.S, Qatar, China, Russia, Cuba, Ukraine, OPEC, America, Norway, Houston

☆ Syria state TV says Israeli attack targets Aleppo, Damascus airports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DAMASCUS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Syria's state television said Israel launched attacks on the main airports in the capital Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo on Thursday. It said here had been damage but no casualties at the Aleppo airport, but did not give any information on the impact of the strike on Damascus Airport. The Israeli military does not usually comment on such incidents, and there was no immediate statement from it on Thursday. Israel has for years carried out strikes against what it has described as Iran-linked targets in Syria, including against the Aleppo and Damascus airports. Reporting by Firas Makdesi; Writing by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Alex Richardson and Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Israel, Bashar al, Assad, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Firas Makdesi, Maya Gebeily, Alex Richardson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Thomson Locations: DAMASCUS, Damascus, Aleppo, Iran, Syria

☆ Americans are flocking to Mexico City where rent is cheaper and life is more laid-back—for locals, it’s complicated
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Celia Fernandez Tasia Jensen Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo | Celia Fernandez | Tasia Jensen | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Moran moved to Mexico City in 2019 and is now a permanent resident and lives with Dai, her Mexican boyfriend. "When North Americans come to Mexico, especially to Mexico City, they do not come for survival reasons," Osorno says. Alberto Martinez believes that the Mexican government needs to come up with a way to control rent prices in Mexico City. In 2022, the Mexico City government partnered with Airbnb to promote the city as a global remote working hub. In 2022, Airbnb and Mexico City announced a partnership that caused an uproar among CDMX locals.

Persons: it's, Gene Kim, Kyla Moran, Moran, Dai, Tasia Jensen, Beatriz Bajuelos, Hutchins, Caitlin Hutchins, Cora, Victor, Adalia, —, Aborisade, Hutchins isn't, I'm, Keith Brown, Brown, George Floyd, There's, doling, I've, Darnell, Tiara Darnell, Guillermo Osorno, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Leticia Lozano, Lozano, Anais Martinez, Martinez, It's, Leticia Lozano López, Alberto Martinez, Airbnb, Lozano López Organizations: CNBC, Mexico City, Black American, Spanish, U.S, Spotify, National Institute of Statistics, Human Rights, Osorno, Roma, Mexico's Foreign Affairs, New, of Labor Statistics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, The New York Times, Urban Regeneration, MIT, Airbnb, Nurphoto Locations: Mexico City, Mexico's, Ciudad, North America, Mexico, U.S, American, Hutchins, North Carolina, Texas, Mexico City's, United States, Buffalo , New York, Buffalo, Roma Norte, La, Osorno, Tourism Secretarait, Mexican, New York City, —, La Condesa, Airbnb, Latin America, Barcelona, Florence, Congress

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump will back in court next week for his New York civil fraud trial, a person familiar with the former president’s plans told The Associated Press on Thursday, setting up a potential face-to-face showdown with fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen, who is expected to testify. Trump is expected to attend the non-jury trial Tuesday through Thursday next week, according to the person who confirmed the plans, which were first reported by news website The Messenger. Outside, Trump decried the civil trial a “sham,” a “scam,” and “a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time.” His campaign, meanwhile, attempted to capitalize with fundraising appeals tied to the proceedings. Trump isn’t required to be in court for the civil trial until he is called to testify in the few weeks. The civil trial, which doesn't have a jury because one is not required under the law, concerns allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

Persons: — Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, Trump, “ It’s, Cohen, Donald, Letitia James ’, ”, James, Allen Weisselberg, Jeffrey McConney, Donald Bender, Nicholas Haigh, general's, Trump’s, “, he's, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, __ Colvin Organizations: New, Associated Press, Trump, Secret Service, New York, Democrat, White, Trump Organization Locations: New York, Manhattan, New, Congress, Washington

Cutouts depicting images of oil operations are seen outside a building of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela January 28, 2019. Separate talks between Maduro's envoys and the Venezuelan opposition are expected to follow in Mexico in the coming weeks, according to sources. Washington has been trying to encourage negotiations between Maduro and the political opposition over elections in Venezuela and other demands. The proposal included reframing oil sanctions on Venezuela by amending existing U.S. executive orders or issuing new ones so buyers in Europe and other regions could resume imports of Venezuelan oil in a structured, organized way. Chevron (CVX.N) has been allowed to expand operations in Venezuela and export its oil to the U.S. since November.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Nicolas Maduro, Maurel, PDVSA, Vivian Sequera, Mayela, Andrew Mills, Marianna Parraga, Matt Spetalnick, Benjamin Mallet, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, U.S . State Department, White, Doha, Chevron, Eni, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, DOHA, HOUSTON, Mexico, Washington, Doha, Venezuelan, Maduro, U.S, Qatar, Iran, American, Europe, Houston, Diego Ore, Mexico City, Paris

☆ Trump’s Campaign From the Courthouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Lauren Camera | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

But the front-running GOP presidential primary candidate was there – and he was pissed. Yet Trump was seething for another reason altogether – or so he claimed: His mounting legal challenges were preventing him from campaigning. “Trump campaigning from a courtroom is so Trumpian,” says Tobe Berkovitz, associate professor of advertising emeritus at Boston University. Separately from the civil trial in New York focusing on fraud, Trump faces 91 criminal charges stemming from four state and federal cases. And like the mug shot, Trump’s presence in the courtroom this week gave his supporters something he can’t give them on the campaign trail – a physical representation of the system he claims is out to get him.

Persons: Donald Trump wasn’t, Letitia James, Trump, ”, I’ve, “ Trump, Tobe Berkovitz, that’s, Stormy Daniels, Jean Carroll, ” Berkovitz, it’s, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, “, Arthur Engoron, James, Dante Scala, ” Scala, ” Trump’s, Engoron, I’m, ” James Organizations: New York Supreme, New York, Trump, Trump National Golf, Boston University, Washington , D.C, White, Donald Trump View, University of New, Republican Locations: Manhattan, Iowa , New Hampshire, South Carolina, New York, Washington ,, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire, “, Georgia’s Fulton County, Ohio

[1/2] Police detain suspects as they patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration near Klinge, Germany, September 20, 2023. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser urged Germany's 16 states on Wednesday to provide asylum seekers with material benefits rather than cash, to reduce the country's pull factor. Migration analysts say much of the tougher stance is electioneering ahead of elections in Hesse and Bavaria on Sunday and in three eastern German states next year. Vorlaender noted that even if tougher controls worked, Germany risked creating a bigger problem for transit countries by bottling in migrants there. Germany's tougher stance on migration isn't so much a policy reversal as an evolution, said Susan Fratzke at the Migration Policy Institute.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Nancy Faeser, Germany's, Olaf Scholz, Angela Merkel, Scholz, Russia's, Hannes Schammann, SHAM, Merkel, Friedrich Merz, “, ” Merz, Merz, Alberto ‑ Horst Neidhardt, Hans Vorlaender, Vorlaender, Ludovit, Susan Fratzke, Schammann, Sarah Marsh, Riham, Jan Lopatka, Alan Charlish, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Authorities, EU, EU's Agency for Asylum, University of Hildesheim, Christian Democratic Union, European, Faeser, Migration Policy Institute, Berlin, Thomson Locations: Klinge, Germany, Berlin, BERLIN, Hesse, Bavaria, Europe, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Ankara, Prague, Warsaw

Judge Arthur Engoron is seen in the courtroom before the start of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s civil business fraud trial at the State Supreme Court building in New York, U.S. October 4, 2023. Mary Altaffer/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A judge overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial pounded his fists in frustration with the former U.S. president’s lawyers on Wednesday for what he described as redundant and "ridiculous" cross-examination of a witness. He has already disciplined Trump’s lawyers for making what he said were "frivolous" arguments. "This is ridiculous," Engoron said on Wednesday as one of Trump’s lawyers repeatedly asked his onetime accountant the same questions for each year at issue in the case. Trump’s lawyers appealed the decision on Wednesday.

Persons: Arthur Engoron, Donald Trump’s, Mary Altaffer, Donald, Trump, Engoron, Letitia James, James, Donald Jr, Eric, Joe Biden's, Jack Queen, Grant McCool Organizations: Supreme, REUTERS Acquire, New, Trump, Democrat, Trump Organization, White, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Manhattan

☆ NY attorney general presses case against Trump in trial's second day
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the trial of himself, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others in a civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, at a Manhattan courthouse, in New York City, U.S., October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/PoolThe trial, now in its second day, could lead to the dismantling of Trump’s business empire as he seeks to regain the presidency in 2024. Before testimony resumed, Trump renewed his attacks on James, telling reporters outside the courtroom that she was “grossly incompetent” and had concocted a bogus case. “Her numbers are fraudulent,” said Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 election. The trial’s second day began with the government’s first witness Donald Bender, Trump’s former accountant at Mazars USA, resuming his testimony.

Persons: Donald Trump, Letitia James, Shannon Stapleton, Trump, James, ”, Joe Biden, “, ” James, Donald Bender, Kevin Wallace, Bender, Donald Jr, Eric, Arthur Engoron, Wallace, Christopher Kise, Michael Cohen, James ’ Organizations: YORK, New York, Former U.S, Trump Organization, REUTERS, Republican, Democratic, USA, Trump Locations: New, Former, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, New York, “

☆ Judge in Trump fraud trial imposes gag order after Trump lashes out at clerk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial on Tuesday imposed a gag order - promising sanctions for any violations - after the former U.S. president used social media to lash out against the judge’s top law clerk. The trial could lead to the dismantling of Trump’s business empire as he seeks to regain the presidency in 2024. Engoron had ruled before the trial that Trump committed fraud, and canceled business certificates for companies that control crown jewels of Trump’s portfolio, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. The trial will review six additional claims including falsifying business records, insurance fraud and conspiracy, and address how much the defendants should pay in penalties. He also faces a January civil damages trial for defaming a writer who accused him of rape, which he denies.

Persons: Donald, Donald Trump, Letitia James, Shannon Stapleton, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, James, Trump, Chuck Schumer, ”, Joe Biden, Donald Bender, Kevin Wallace, James ’, Bender, Donald Jr, Eric, “, ” Trump, Trump’s, Christopher Kise, Michael Cohen Organizations: YORK, Former U.S, Trump Organization, REUTERS, Pool, Trump and New York, Republican, Democratic, Trump, Democrat Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, New York

Donald Trump's ex-accountant spent three hours recognizing documents on Tuesday. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe New York attorney general and Donald Trump's lawyers used dynamic visuals and bombastic language to savage one another in court on Monday. Come Tuesday morning, the state found itself having to spend three hours asking Trump's former accountant Donald Bender to authenticate documents. He'd ask Bender if he recognized the signature of Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, which was helpfully labeled "Allen Weisselberg," and that of Donald Trump Jr., helpfully labeled "Donald Trump Jr."AdvertisementAdvertisementBender, with his eye for detail, always did. James is hoping the trial brings $250 million in penalties and that Trump and his adult sons are banned from ever running a business in New York state again.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Donald Bender's, Trump, —, Donald Bender, Bender, Bender —, Allen Weisselberg, Donald Trump Jr, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, Letitia James, Alina Habba, Habba, Chris Kise —, James Organizations: Service, Trump Organization, New York, Trump Locations: York, New York

☆ Analysis: New trial hits Trump's image as the ultimate winner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But the fraud case in New York threatens to shred Trump’s cherished self-image as an ultimate winner. Just so you know, my financial statements are phenomenal,” Trump said before the trial opened. “They’re hitting him where it hurts,” one source told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about Trump’s decision to attend the trial on Monday. Trump’s bluster and political showmanship are proven to work, as his huge lead in the GOP presidential primary shows. But Trump’s legal fate in this and all the other cases will not be decided on campaign trails but in courtrooms.

Persons: ” Donald Trump couldn’t, “, ” Trump, Trump, NBC’s “, spurning, ” Alina Habba, Trump’s, They’re, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Letitia James –, ” James, James, ”, Arthur Engoron, It’s, Eric, “ They’re, Trump’s bluster, won’t, James ’, Engoron, –, Chris Kise, ” Habba Organizations: CNN, It’s, Service, NBC’s, Force, Trump, New, Trump Organization, White, Democrat, HBO, GOP, Justice Department, Mar, titans Locations: New York, Manhattan, Iowa, Lower Manhattan, Trump, Georgia, Florida, Lago , Florida

Search resuls for: "SHAM"

25 mentions found