New York Attorney General Letitia James's quest to prove allegations of fraud against former President Donald Trump reached a critical juncture on Wednesday, as the chaotic 11-week civil fraud trial finally concluded. With no jury present, the fate of the case now rests in the hands of the unconventional New York judge, Arthur Engoron. Engoron's forthcoming verdict will not only determine Trump's guilt or innocence but also have far-reaching implications for the future of Trump's involvement in his family business.

Engoron had already ruled before the trial began that Trump had inflated his net worth through fraudulent means, leading to an initial round of punishments. This development shifted the focus of the trial towards determining the severity of the penalty that the former president would face. James, seeking justice, has indicated her intention to press for a fine exceeding the original amount of $250 million, believing that Trump had obtained more illicit gains than initially suspected. Additionally, she has requested that the judge bar Trump from conducting any business in the state, effectively erasing him from the world that propelled him to fame decades ago.

Legal experts suggest that Engoron has extensive authority in punishing Trump under the powerful New York law underpinning the case, leading to speculations that the judge's decision, expected as early as next month, may not be favorable for Trump. "The judge has extraordinary powers to fashion a remedy to curtail and punish the misconduct, meaning bad news for Trump," commented Steven Cohen, a former top official in the attorney general's office.

However, concerns surrounding Engoron's initial punishment have emerged. The judge's decision to dissolve some of Trump's New York companies has sparked controversy and raised doubts about his authority to take such action. An appeals court recently granted Trump's request to pause the punishment, allowing for a thorough assessment of Engoron's rulings during the trial. Trump's legal team has pinned their hopes on a successful appeal, with Christopher Kise, one of Trump's lawyers, expressing gratitude for the court's ruling and mentioning the need for a comprehensive review of the alleged errors made by the trial court.

With the courtroom proceedings concluded, attention now turns to Engoron's upcoming decision, which may involve a range of punitive measures. Alongside a significant financial penalty, the judge could impose five-year bans preventing Trump and his company from engaging in commercial real estate deals in New York or seeking loans from state-chartered banks. More significantly, Engoron might permanently prohibit Trump from running any business in New York, effectively severing his ties to the entity he has been associated with for over half a century.

Notably, experts argue that Engoron's initial punishment of dissolving Trump's New York companies may not be enforceable. The cancellation of special business certificates that allow these companies to operate using specific names may prove to be a minor inconvenience, as new certificates can be secured. The judge's mention of "dissolution of the canceled LLCs," which implies termination of the actual companies, seems to have overstepped the limit of his authority according to New York law.

Legal analysts warn that imposing punishments on companies not directly linked to James' complaint could raise several legal concerns and potentially prompt the appeals court to intervene. This scenario could undermine the credibility of the judge's ruling and potentially support claims of bias against Engoron.

As the eagerly awaited verdict draws near, Trump's prospects in the civil fraud trial remain uncertain. While the trial itself has been filled with drama, from Trump's emotional outbursts to personal attacks on the judge and his law clerk, the consequences of Engoron's verdict could have a lasting impact on Trump's business operations in New York. Whether the judge's decision will align with James' arguments or favor Trump's defense will soon be revealed, shaping the future course of Trump's legal battles and his overall business trajectory.

Disclaimer: This article is based solely on the information provided and may not reflect the outcome of the trial or subsequent legal proceedings.