Trump is expected to testify later in the trial, and is on the witness list for both the prosecution and the defense.
Judge Arthur Engoron has already found Trump and his family company guilty of fraud. The trial is about the penalty, Engoron reminded on Tuesday. The reprimand came after Trump’s lawyers tried in lengthy submissions to dispute the issue of guilt.
Trump has also declared a partial victory and claimed that a large part of the charges are time-barred, despite the judge making a different assessment.
— This trial is not there to change what I have already decided. It is for that purpose that we have the option of appealing to a higher instance, Engoron said according to CNN.
Trump risks being fined $250 million for inflating the value of his assets, and losing the right to do business in New York state. The trial is scheduled to last until December 22.
Several other lawsuits are ongoing against the former president.