Trump lied to NYC about his wealth in effort to secure city golf course: trial evidence

Former President Donald Trump claimed that he was worth $3 billion – and had with $200 million in cash on hand – in documents that helped him secure the right to run New York City's Ferry Point golf course for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, according to ABC News.

The estimate, revealed during the civil fraud trial against Trump and his two adult sons brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, was later inflated to $5 billion. James asserts that in reality, Trump's net worth never exceeded $2.1 billion in this time frame.

"We wanted to be sure, as we would always, that the operator in place had the funds to deliver on their obligations," testified NYC Parks Department assistant commissioner for business development David Cerron on Monday.

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Trump's attorneys, however, got Cerron to admit on cross-examination that funds on hand were the less important of several considerations for awarding the contract, including the Trump Organization's operational experience.

The fraud suit brought by James alleges that Trump and his family systematically lied about the company's assets for years to obtain excessively favorable loan deals and other financial considerations, and seeks $250 million in fines as well as the dissolution of the Trump Organization. In coming days, Trump and his adult children will be called to testify in person on the matter, including Ivanka Trump, who is not a named party in the suit.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already partially ruled in James' favor on summary judgment, leaving the primary focus of the trial a determination of damages.