A New York judge ruled that former President Donald Trump committed fraud for several years while growing his real estate empire known as the Trump Organization.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled Tuesday in a civil suit brought by Attorney General Letitia James that Trump and his company deceived banks and insurers by inflating his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork to close deals and secure financing opportunities.

FACULTY FREE SPEECH UNDER SCRUTINY WITH EROSION OF ACADEMIC TENURE

The decision falls just one week before a non-jury trial is slated to commence as the former president also prepares to fight four criminal indictments against him in the span of less than a year.

James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in the Empire State. The trial may last through December, Engoron previously said.

A separate ruling is pending over Trump's bid to sue Engoron, which may have the result of delaying the trial. That decision could come as soon as Thursday.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As part of the lawsuit against Engoron, Trump's lawyer Chris Kise has pointed to a June appeals court ruling that removed his daughter, Ivanka Trump, from the list of defendants in James's civil suit. Kise contended that the ruling should effectively toss out the claims against the former president as well.

This is a developing story and will be updated.