Ex-Trump Attorney Slings Mud At Alina Habba Over Handling Of Fraud Case – HuffPost
Assignment Editor, HuffPost
A former Donald Trump attorney suggested the former president’s legal team has been handling his New York civil fraud trial so messily that they may not even be trying to obtain a ruling in their favor.
“With Alina Habba handling discovery, you know, that’s not something where I think anybody was really at the wheel,” Tim Parlatore told CNN in an exchange flagged by Mediaite.
He said the team’s strategy “seemed to me to be kind of a combination of building a record for the appeal and putting out things into the media that are helpful to the campaign.”
Parlatore resigned as an attorney to Trump in May last year, citing infighting amongst the former president’s lawyers.
“There’s nothing that I’ve seen that indicates that they are trying to convince this trial judge to rule in their favor,” Parlatore said of the fraud trial. “If anything, it seems like they’re trying to convince this trial judge to get so mad that he makes bigger mistakes for the appeal.”
Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the multimillion-dollar fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, has repeatedly clashed with Trump’s legal team throughout the trial.
He has faced threats and abuse, including a bomb threat at his home this week and persistent social media vitriol from Trump.
Chris Kise, Alina Habba and Cliff Robert are among the attorneys handling Trump and his two eldest sons’ defense in the fraud trial, which heard closing arguments Thursday.
Parlatore said that Kise’s presence suggests Trump is focusing on a future appeal.
“He’s not a trial attorney,” Parlatore said. “He’s an appellate attorney. And so, one of the reasons why he’s there is probably just to prep this case for an appeal.”
Trump spoke at the end of the trial, despite Engoron denying him permission to do so.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why HuffPost's journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.
We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.
Our newsroom continues to bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help.
Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.
Assignment Editor, HuffPost
Do you have info to share with HuffPost reporters? Here’s how.
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.