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In New York, left-wing Attorney General Letitia James continues its civil investigation into the Trump Organization.
A Manhattan judge has rejected a request by President Donald Trump and two of his children to reject subpoenas in the case.
Judge Arthur Engoron of the Manhattan Supreme Court ordered Trump to share documents within 14 days and appear for a deposition in 21 days.
Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were also ordered to appear for depositions within 21 days.
The liberal AG immediately celebrated this decision. “Today, justice prevailed,” James said in a statement.
“Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump have been ordered by the court to comply with our lawful investigation into Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization’s financial dealings.”
“No one will be permitted to stand in the way of the pursuit of justice, no matter how powerful they are,” James said. “No one is above the law.”
More on this story via Washington Examiner:
Lawyers for the Trumps had sought to block the subpoenas, arguing James is politically motivated and attempting to “circumvent the entire grand jury process” to assist a separate criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
James’s office detailed a long list of allegations that Trump’s organization exaggerated the value of assets in order to get favorable loan terms and misstated what land was worth in order to lessen the tax burden, according to court documents filed in January. Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump run the company, while Ivanka Trump, their sister, was formerly an executive at the business.
“The New Trump Respondent’s argument overlooks the salient fact that they have an absolute right to refuse to answer questions that they claim may incriminate them,” Engoron wrote in his ruling. “Indeed, respondent Eric Trump invoked his right against self-discrimination in response to more than 500 questions during his one-day deposition arising out of the instant proceeding.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Donald Trump for a statement but did not receive a response. Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka, said, “As we advised Judge Engoron there is a likelihood that we will appeal,” according to CNBC.
