Napolitano to Newsmax: Trump Makes Compelling Argument in N.Y.

Former President Donald Trump "makes a compelling argument" that the New York civil fraud case against him was "brought for political reasons," former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Andrew Napolitano told Newsmax.

"He bases that on the words out of the mouth of the AG [Letitia James] herself when she was running for AG, 'I'm going to get Trump.' We know that," Napolitano told Newsmax's "Carl Higbie FRONTLINE."

"She did make a prima facie case. He did show that some of the buildings on which loans were taken, the amounts of pledge, the security for the loan was not consistent with the true value. But Trump showed that nobody lost a nickel, that jobs were created, that everybody was paid back, and that the bank that he supposedly defrauded said it would do business with him tomorrow.

"He's going to lose in the trial court and, in my opinion, prevail in the appellate court. This judge [Arthur Engoron] has been appealed five times during the trial; he's lost all five times," he added.

Trump on Thursday told the Engoron that he is an "innocent man."

"They should pay me for what I've gone through," Trump added.

"This is not consumer fraud. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me."

Trump's in-court remarks, which were not televised, ensured a tumultuous final day for a trial over allegations that he habitually exaggerated his wealth on financial statements, deceiving a bank and insurance companies into giving him plum deals.

Engoron said he hoped to have a verdict by Jan. 31. He is deciding the case because state law doesn't allow for juries in this type of lawsuit.

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