N.Y. judge might set Trump up to commit yet another crime after fraud case: report

If Trump continues doing business in New York, he could be criminally prosecuted, according to a Newsweek report.

Syracuse University College of Law professor Gregory Germain told the outlet that former President Donald Trump would be committing a crime should the appeals court uphold Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron's September decision to prevent the ex-president's companies from continuing to do business in the empire state.

"Those determinations were stayed by the appellate division pending appeal. If they were to go into effect, it would be a crime for him or his entities to continue operating any businesses in New York without a business license," Germain said.

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In his summary judgment from Sept. 26, prior to Trump's New York civil fraud trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Engoron found that Trump, his adult sons Eric and Don Jr., and executives of the Trump Organization flouted the law, and put to bed the 45th president's contention that offering a disclaimer on the financial statements made good on the malfeasance.

“In defendants’ world: rent regulated apartments are worth the same as unregulated apartments; restricted land is worth the same as unrestricted land; restrictions can evaporate into thin air; a disclaimer by one party casting responsibility on another party exonerates the other party’s lies,” reads Engoron's 35-page ruling. “That is a fantasy world, not the real world.”

Trump reacted to the ruling as "ridiculous and untrue" and declared that he and his companies have "done a magnificent job for New York State" and "done business perfectly."

That decision has been frozen pending the arrival of Engoron's decision in the case.

Trump stands accused of hyping up the values of his portfolio to win deals and loans. James is seeking a permanent ban of Trump being able to work in his family real estate industry in the state.

His assets were pored over during the trial including the Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan and his Mar-a-Lago golf club.

While Trump might be forced to abandon his native New York, Germain suggested the former president might "not be prohibited from doing business in other states, as the AG does not have the power to prevent him from doing business elsewhere."

"It would only affect his properties and businesses in New York, which are of course a significant part of his holdings."