Trump files for mistrial in NYC fraud case, repeating bias allegations

(TNS) — NEW YORK — Donald Trump filed for a mistrial in his Manhattan Supreme Court fraud case Wednesday, alleging "anti Trump/big real estate bias" on the bench preventing him from getting a fair shake.

Lawyers for the former president filed the anticipated motion during the third day of his defense case, repeating much of the same bias allegations they’ve lobbed at Judge Arthur Engoron and his principal law clerk, Allison Greenfield, throughout the trial now in its seventh week.

"Here, in an unprecedented case commanding worldwide interest and attention, it is imperative that nothing compromise that guarantee and thereby undermine public confidence in our legal system," reads the mistrial motion filed by Trump lawyers Alina Habba, Cliff Robert, and Chris Kise.

Engoron found Trump, his sons, Eric and Don Jr., and former top executives Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney liable for persistent and repeated fraud the week before the trial started for manipulating the value of Trump Organization assets to profit in business deals illegally. The ruling was based on evidence Trump and his crew provided and did not dispute. The judge ordered Trump and his associates stripped of certificates required to run a business in New York, set to take effect if and when the ruling is upheld on appeal.

The New York attorney general’s remaining six claims are on trial, relating to the conspiracy underlying the valuation scheme and insurance fraud. AG Tish James seeks to recover at least $250 million in illegal gains and an order permanently barring Trump and his co-defendants from serving as head of an Empire State corporation.