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NEW YORK STATE Attorney General Letitia James asked a judge to hold former president Donald Trump in contempt for failing to turn over documents related to her investigation of possible fraud in the Trump family’s business dealings.
Since 2019, James has pursued a civil probe into the former president and the Trump Organization, and has sought to question the 75-year-old for months.
In February, a judge ordered Trump and his children Don Jr and Ivanka to submit to questioning under oath. So far, that order is under appeal.
But Trump was also ordered to turn over a series of Trump Organization accounting and tax documents, which he has so far failed to do despite his lawyers saying he would.
“Trump is in violation of the court’s order to turn these docs over to us by March 31,” James’s office said in a statement.
In a memorandum filed with the state supreme court, James argues that Trump should be held in civil contempt for violating the order.
“Instead of obeying a court order, Mr Trump is trying to evade it. We are seeking the court’s immediate intervention because no one is above the law,” James said in a statement.
The attorney general is seeking imposition of a fine of $10,000 a day for each day Trump fails to produce the documents in question.
In January, James said her investigation had uncovered evidence suggesting the fraudulent valuing of multiple assets and misrepresentation of those values for economic benefit.
Among the assets listed was Trump’s penthouse in Manhattan’s Trump Tower, which was claimed to be three times bigger than it actually was, overestimating its value by $200 million.
The Trumps have claimed that James, who was elected to her position and is a member of the Democratic Party, is running a politically motivated probe.
James’ probe is one of several legal battles in which the former president is embroiled.
The Trump Organization is also under investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for possible financial crimes and insurance fraud.
In July last year, the Trump Organization and its long-serving finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded not guilty in a New York court to 15 felony fraud and tax evasion charges.
His trial is due to begin in the middle of this year.
Bragg issued a statement saying his criminal probe was ongoing, but that he would not be divulging any details until its conclusion, as required by law.
Doubts had been raised about the future of the investigation after the resignation of two prosecutors on the case.
“I pledge that the Office will publicly state the conclusion of our investigation — whether we conclude our work without bringing charges, or move forward with an indictment,” he said.
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Willing the day trump is brought to some kind of justice. But I won’t hold me breath.
So Trump was overvaluing his gaff? That’s the case?
I have no doubt he did it, he overestimates everything.
@v39e84kK: could be considered fraud if he secured loans on them
@Jim Buckley Barrett: Absolutely! It is serious fraud if he has secured loans based on false assessments.
@v39e84kK: he’s not overvaluing his gaff. His gaff cannot be overvalued. It’s the bestest and bigliest gaff in the whole world. Don’t listen to the fake news from the MSM trying to deny it. They’re SAD LÓSERS.
@Al Fresco: laughably shoddy banking to give loans based on what people tell you their property is worth too!
@David Bonner: yes, it is, but at the end of the day it’s still trumps responsibility to be honest.
Hopefully we will see trump being forensically examined in the same way as anybody else who was suspected of this kind of fraud.
How can he claim to be immune because he was President for one term?
@Al Fresco: Not going to lie Al Fresco loving yer profile picture.
@Al Fresco: It’s worth looking into how Trump gained a gambling licence for his casino. He shouldn’t have been able to get one, but my concern is as much with the people issuing the licence to him. While anything that would put Trump in jail (which I really doubt will happen now), or keep him from getting re-elected is good news, the American ‘system’ itself is compromised.
@Paul Gorry: it’s not my best look,.
@David A. Murray: you are right, questions need to be asked about the people who enabled this failed businessman to keep blustering forwards from one failure to the next.
The Bozo Lier Murderer Trump should be in Jail
Trump should be thoroughly investigated. If he has secured loans on the over valuation of security this puts the bank or loan company in a bad position.
Normally banks are diligent and forensically check offered security by clients especially post Financial Meltdown in 2008.
If Trump or his children do not cooperate with an investigation hey should face the consequences.
have your say