New York:  Donald Trump and his adult children were sued for fraud by New York State’s attorney general, who for more than three years has conducted a civil investigation into former US president’s business practices, court records showed. Lawsuit, filed in a New York state court in Manhattan, accused Trump Organisation of engaging in “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” in preparing Trump’s annual statements of financial condition from 2011 to 2021. It also named Trump Organisation, former president’s son Donald Trump Jr and his daughter Ivanka Trump as defendants. Investigation by Attorney General Letitia James has focused on whether Trump Organisation misstated values of its real estate properties to obtain favourable loans and tax benefits.

James was expected to make an announcement at 11:30am. She has said that investigation uncovered “significant evidence” that Trump and company fraudulently valued many of its assets. Republican former president has denied any wrongdoing and described James’ probe as a politically motivated witch hunt. James is a Democrat. Trump Organisation has called James’ allegations “baseless”.

Wednesday’s lawsuit followed a contentious investigation in which James accused Trump, his company and some family members of using delay tactics to ignore subpoenas and avoid testifying. Trump on August 10 declined to answer questions in a lengthy, closed-door deposition at office of attorney general, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination more than 400 times.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 22 2022

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