A New York judge ruled Thursday that Donald Trump and two of his children have to testify in a sprawling civil fraud investigation headed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, summarily rejecting the ex-president’s request to quash subpoenas.
Trump must turn over documents within 14 days, and he, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump must appear for depositions within 21 days, according to a eight-page ruling from state Judge Arthur F. Engoron.
It may not happen that quickly as the Trump lawyers already signaled that they will appeal.
In allowing the subpoenas, Engoron rejected arguments from Trump attorneys that James is politically biased against the former president, and is using a civil law investigation to advance a criminal case against him.
In a blistering postscript, the judge wrote: “In the final analysis, a state attorney general commences investigating a business entity, uncovers copious evidence of possible financial fraud and wants to question, under oath, several of the entities’ principals, including its namesake. She has every right to do so.”
Both the New York attorney general’s office and the Manhattan district attorney are investigating whether Trump inflated the value of his holdings in order to secure loans and deflated values in order to reduce taxes.
Declaring victory over the ruling, James said “justice prevailed” and that “no one will be permitted to stand in the way of the pursuit of justice, no matter how powerful they are.”
The Trumps “have…
