Trump's sons claim they were unaware of the fraud involving the family company

Eric and Donald Trump Jr., the sons of former US President Donald Trump, testified that they had nothing to do with the documents that served to unjustifiably increase the value of the property owned by their father.

Both denied during the hearing that they were involved in dubious appraisals that overestimated the value of the Trump family's properties.

The father placed them in prominent positions while he was the president of the family company from 2017 to 2021.

Donald Trump Jr. blamed accountants, inside and outside the company, who he claimed compiled financial statements used to secure loans and insurance policies that kept the family-owned company afloat.

"They had more information and more details about all of this than I did," he said during his testimony.

Eric Trump testified that he did not know such documents existed.

"I didn't know anything about it until this case was filed," he said.

However, as reported by the Reuters agency, Eric Trump's claims were refuted by an email correspondence indicating that the data sent to him was used to compile his father's annual financial reports - in which he was asked for his opinion.

None of the sons vouched for the accuracy of those documents, reports Reuters.

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that the three defendants, Donald Trump, his son Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, were responsible for that act. He ordered the liquidation of the companies responsible for Trump's real estate, including the Trump Tower in Manhattan. The application of the court decision is pending the completion of the appeal procedure.

During Wednesday's hearing, Donald Jr. sought to downplay his responsibility and involvement in the company's financial operations -- saying the documents were prepared by accountants.

New York State Attorney Lettisha James is demanding a fine of at least $250 million in damages, as well as a permanent ban on three family members, Donald Trump, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, from doing business in that state.

The former president is expected to testify next Monday in what will be the latest in a series of court appearances by the candidate considered the favorite to win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

That court process is one of many that Donald Trump is facing as he campaigns to return to the White House. The former president faces a total of 91 felony charges in four separate cases — including two stemming from suspicions and allegations of trying to reverse his 2020 election defeat.

Trump has publicly denied responsibility for all criminal and civil proceedings against him, accusing Judge Engoron of political bias.

He was fined a total of $15.000 for twice violating an order barring him from making public statements about court personnel involved in the proceedings.