Well isn’t this interesting…

We’re diving into a big story unfolding in New York that involves a high-profile judge, a major legal battle, and, of course, former President Donald Trump.

So, here’s what’s happening: Judge Arthur Engoron, a name you might have heard recently, is under the spotlight. This comes after a prominent New York real estate lawyer, Adam Leitman Bailey, revealed something quite interesting. Just weeks before a significant ruling in a civil fraud case involving Trump, Bailey admitted he gave unsolicited advice to Judge Engoron.

Let’s backtrack a bit. Judge Engoron recently made headlines when he ordered Trump to pay a hefty $454 million as part of that fraud case. Trump didn’t take this lightly, frequently calling Engoron “crazed” and “corrupt.” Despite his grievances, Trump managed to post a $175 million bond right before the deadline. This move was crucial—it stopped the seizure of his assets while his appeal is being considered.

Now, back to Adam Leitman Bailey. He’s quite a figure in the real estate scene here in New York, and he openly said that he urged Judge Engoron to “get it right” concerning his decision on the Trump case. Bailey insists he’s not involved in Trump’s legal matters, although he has appeared in court before Engoron numerous times. He mentioned his concerns about the economic repercussions of such a massive fine on Trump.

But here’s where it gets even more interesting. Bailey reportedly approached Judge Engoron and discussed the case. Now, that’s a big no-no. There are strict rules against what they call ‘ex parte communications’—that means judges aren’t supposed to consider any outside communications unless it’s with a disinterested expert who isn’t part of the case.

This revelation has sparked an investigation by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. They’re looking into whether Judge Engoron might have crossed ethical lines because of this conversation. This kind of investigation can take a long time, sometimes over a year.

Through a spokesperson, Judge Engoron has denied any wrongdoing. He stated that his decision in the Trump case was made solely by him, deeply considered, and not influenced by Bailey or anyone else.

Funny, did you hear about this on CNN?