Trump declines to answer questions in New York business investigation
Donald Trump said he declined to answer questions under oath on Wednesday as part of the New York state attorney general Letitia James’s long-running civil investigation into his dealings as a real estate mogul.
The former US president had previously slammed the legal encounter in a brash post on his Truth Social social media platform, the day before he was due to appear for the deposition.
“In New York City tonight. Seeing racist NYS Attorney General tomorrow, for a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in US history!” Trump wrote, repeating an insult he has thrown repeatedly thrown at James, who is Black and the first woman of color ever to hold statewide elected office in New York.
“My great company, and myself, are being attacked from all sides,” Trump also posted, adding: “Banana Republic!”
Secret Service agents and police were seen patrolling the streets close to the attorney general’s office on Liberty Street in lower Manhattan, as the ex-president arrived around 9am.
Trump faces a widening number of investigations by state and federal authorities.
On Monday, his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida was searched by FBI agents. The exact purpose of the raid remains unclear, but was possibly related to classified documents that may have been removed from the White House.
While the former president has sat for numerous depositions over the years, including in several business bankruptcy cases, he has fought hard to avoid giving testimony to James’s investigation. The case involves allegations that Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, misstated the value of assets including some of his golf courses and skyscrapers, misleading lenders and tax authorities.
At the heart of the case are claims that Trump has for decades falsely
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