Trump must testify in NY AG Letitia James’ Trump Org probe
An appellate court docket dominated Thursday that Donald Trump and his youngsters Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. must all present sworn testimony in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ probe of the Trump Organization.
The household trio lost their enchantment of a decrease court docket choose’s ruling ordering them to adjust to the AG’s subpoenas for his or her depositions as she investigates the company’s business dealings.
Trump’s attorneys had argued that the household was being unfairly focused by James’ office for selective prosecution.
The attorneys famous that the AG might use the testimony to assist a parallel legal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, quite than calling the trio earlier than a grand jury — which might give them immunity from a civil declare involving the identical information.
But the Appellate Division, First Department rejected each arguments in the Thursday determination.
“The political campaign and other public statements made by [the Office of the Attorney General] about appellants do not support the claim that OAG initiated, or is using, the subpoenas in this civil investigation to obtain testimony solely for use in a criminal proceeding or in a manner that would otherwise improperly undermine appellants’ privilege against self-incrimination,” the choice reads.
And the truth that the AG launched the 2019 probe after Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen’s congressional testimony claiming that the previous president “issued fraudulent financial statements … suggests that the investigation was lawfully initiated at its outset and well founded,” the ruling says.
“Once again, the courts have ruled that Donald Trump must comply with our lawful investigation into his financial dealings,” James mentioned in an announcement. “We will continue to follow the facts of this case and ensure that no one can evade the law.”
Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Ivanka and Don Jr., advised The Post, “We have received [the decision] and we are examining it and we are considering all of our options.”
Trump’s lawyer didn’t instantly return a request for remark.