New York’s judicial circles are abuzz as Justice Arthur Engoron, the judge who recently ordered Donald Trump to pay a hefty sum in a civil fraud case, finds himself under scrutiny. Reports suggest an investigation is underway following claims by a local attorney regarding a conversation with the jurist concerning issues pertinent to Trump’s legal affairs.
In a startling revelation, attorney Adam Leitman Bailey, a prominent figure in New York’s real estate legal landscape, disclosed an unsolicited exchange with Judge Arthur Engoron regarding a law central to Trump’s civil fraud case. Bailey’s account, shared during an interview with NBC New York, asserts that the interaction occurred just prior to Engoron’s February ruling, which imposed a $454 million fine on the former president for artificially inflating asset values.
The judge, however, vehemently denies any impropriety, stating through a court spokesperson that he remained “wholly uninfluenced” by Bailey’s purported advice. Nevertheless, sources familiar with the matter indicate that New York’s judicial oversight body has initiated an investigation into the alleged interaction.
Bailey’s assertions, which echo arguments previously made by Trump’s legal team, have raised eyebrows within legal circles. Despite not being involved in the civil case or linked to any of Trump’s criminal proceedings, Bailey claims familiarity with Judge Engoron from numerous past appearances before him as a litigant. He maintains that he conveyed concerns to the judge regarding the potential economic repercussions of utilizing a fraud statute to cripple a major corporation without clear victims—an argument previously rejected by Engoron in court.
Don't Miss
Retired Presiding New York Appellate Justice Alan Scheinkman has voiced reservations about Bailey’s narrative, deeming it “very troubling.” Scheinkman, who now imparts legal ethics at Pace University Law School, highlights the spontaneous nature of Bailey’s disclosure during a televised interview, suggesting it warrants serious consideration.
