Eric Trump directed a Trump Organization executive to make decisions in a way that led to the manipulation of the stated value of properties to defraud potential partners, the former controller of the company and a co-defendant in the case testified, CNN reports.
Jeff McConney stated Eric Trump directed him to consider certain factors to inflate the values of a number of Trump properties including the New York estate at Seven Springs and the Trump National Golf Club Westchester.
The day in court had a number of moments that highlighted the incompetence of Trump’s legal counsel. At one point, Trump spokeslawyer Alina Habba objected after the prosecutor requested additional latitude in questioning McConney, describing him as a “hostile witness.” Habba objected to the characterization, saying McConney was not particularly hostile to the prosecution. “He’s the defendant,” Judge Engoron pointed out in overruling the objection.