'Yikes': Expert says N.Y. judge 'not letting either side off the hook' in Trump fraud case

Donald Trump and N.Y. A.G. Letitia James were both given the same order on Tuesday, and it stood out to MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin.

Trump has been awaiting the decision in the civil fraud case, in which he and his adult sons were accused of manipulating the figures for his real estate empire as a means to get better loans and superior taxation treatment. N.Y. A.G. Letitia James has sought $370 million in damages and the elimination of Trump's rights to business in the entire state.

Justice Engoron has now asked that the parties weigh in on the implications of a reported perjury in the case, from a former employee of the ex-president's organization. And Engoron means business, according to Rubin.

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"On the eve of oral argument on his eligibility to run in CO’s presidential primary, the man now known as citizen Trump is awaiting a decision in the New York Attorney General’s civil fraud case," Rubin said. "But Weisselberg’s discussions with the DA have now become a *thing.*"

She continued:

"Specifically, Engoron notes that if Weisselberg indeed has admitted or will admit to lying under oath in his courtroom, he deserves not only to know but also could determine ALL of his testimony is not credible."

Rubin then explained that Engoron is looking at both sides.

"And he’s not letting either side off the hook. Both must tell him by tomorrow at 5 pm what they know about this that would not violate their professional ethics or client obligations and how he should deal with it, including as to the decision’s timing," she noted. "Yikes."