this isn’t a criminal trial, and the burden of proof is far lower than a criminal trial. in fact, you don’t have to have absolute proof of anything, just that it’s more likely something did happen.

yeah, he can’t be compelled to testify to provide criminally incriminating evidence, sure. pleading the fifthy would be, basically, a non-answer in the context of the trial, and with the burden of proof being substantially lower, the plaintiff (the state of NY) have provided reasonable evidence of fraud… not contesting that with your own testimony means you’re not challenging that narrative.

the trap seems to be, that in testifying here, it provides evidence for criminal charges that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. you’ll note that Jr. isn’t contesting that fraud happened- simply that he didn’t have anything to do with it. (when he obviously did. he signed the the documents asserting they were truthful and accurate,)