Trump and two of his children must testify in tax fraud case, court rules

theguardian.com:

Donald Trump and his children Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump have been ordered to testify in a New York state civil investigation of their business affairs.

The state attorney general, Letitia James, said: “A court has once again ruled in our favor and ordered Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump to appear before my office to testify under oath.”

“Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law.”

James is a Democrat. Trump, a Republican, has claimed James’s investigation of suspected tax-related offences at the Trump Organization is politically motivated and a “witch-hunt”.

James is African American. The former president has claimed she is racist.

Trump did not immediately comment on Thursday.

Eric Trump, the former president’s second son, testified in the investigation in October 2020, while his father was in the White House.

The other three Trumps have fought subpoenas for testimony, part of a refusal to cooperate that led to an accumulating fine for contempt. A New York state judge capped the sum at $110,000. It was paid.

The investigation is one of a number of legal threats to the former president but as a civil matter it could result only in financial penalties.

Other investigations, including into Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn election results in Georgia and regarding the deadly Capitol attack of January 6, could result in criminal charges.

In a January court filing, James said it was suspected that misleading financial statements were filed about properties including 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, Trump’s penthouse apartment in Trump Tower and golf courses in New York and Scotland.

In March 2016, the Guardian reported on tax affairs at Trump National Golf Club in Ossining, New York.