Former American president Donald Trump is facing massive court action in New York.
State Attorney General Letitia James alleges that the Trump Organization, under the direction of Trump and his adult sons, defrauded insurance companies and banks to obtain favorable loans as they built their business empire.
Testimony this week turned to Eric Trump, with a witness telling the court that the president’s son wanted to inflate the value of a property at Westchester golf course beyond $45 million.
David McArdle, a Cushman & Wakefield appraiser, testified that he estimated the value of Trump National Golf Club in Westchester between $40 and $45 million, according to ABC News.
But Trump Organization vice president Eric Trump pushed for the appraisal to go much higher.
“Eric had certain ideas about value. They may have been more lofty than $45 million,” McArdle testified.
“Eric loved this project. He thought it was very special.”
According to ABC News, McArdle addressed Eric Trump in an email to a co-worker: “He continues to call me. I am uncomfortable replying, please call him.”
McArdle testified that if he went along with Eric Trump, he worried that would put him in a “vulnerable position” as tax authorities were hovering around the deal. He said anything beyond $45 million “would have put people at risk.”
Eric Trump, like all other Americans, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
[ABC News]
