Timing is everything. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. If a criminal RICO is proven with these defendants, all Trump has to do in his civil case is file a motion for summary judgment and cite to the findings in the criminal case. For example, if someone is convicted of criminal assault battery, you can sue in civil court for damages and the finding in the criminal case would entitle you to judgment as a matter of law in the civil case. At least as to liability. You'd still have to prove up your personal damages.

I would have to think that he knows they have the goods on each and every defendant to his Civil Rico action, and it's quite a list.