The $250 million civil fraud trial of the Trump Organization, which began with great acclaim this week in a Manhattan courtroom, will bring Trump’s Hudson Valley holdings back to public prominence.
Yet to be decided is whether the Trump Organization will continue to own and operate three major holdings in the region: Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor; Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley in Hopewell Junction; and the historic Seven Springs estate in Bedford, North Castle and New Castle.
These three facilities were part of the case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, who alleged that the Trump Organization had wildly exaggerated the value of its holdings in its statements of financial condition that are used by lending institutions when determining whether to approve loans.
Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron in late September ruled that Trump committed fraud with his exaggerated valuations of Trump Tower in Manhattan, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Seven Springs, as well as his golf courses, including those in the Hudson Valley.
More: Take a look at the golf courses owned by Donald Trump
The non-jury trial, which is expected to grind on until sometime in December, concerns six remaining claims, which include how much the Trump Organization will owe in penalties to New York state. James is seeking $250 million and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.
That could impact Trump’s golf courses in Briarcliff and Hopewell Junction. It could also determine the fate of Seven Springs, the sprawling estate that covers more than 200 acres where Trump first proposed a world-class golf course and luxury housing development. Rebuffed on his golf course plan, Trump scaled back to a much smaller luxury home development.
That too failed to get off the ground in several iterations, with approvals for the final seven-lot subdivision in Bedford never finalized. That led Trump’s decision to put much of the land under a conservation easement in 2016.
Former President Donald Trump (right) jokes with golfer Patrick Reed (left) at the first tee during the Pro-Am tournament at LIV Golf. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 who faces four indictments on state and federal charges, appeared in court on the first two days of the trial. There, he has engaged in his trademark political theatre outside of the courtroom, assailing the judge and the entire legal…
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