Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and two of his children filed a notice of appeal Monday against a New York state ruling ordering them to appear for a deposition.
A motion was filed in the state appellate court in response to the Feb. 17 ruling by the Manhattan Supreme Court requiring the former president, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr. to comply with subpoenas to participate in depositions for New York Attorney General Letitia James’s civil investigation into the Trump Organization.
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“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 the clear right to do so,” Judge Arthur Engoron said in his decision earlier this month.
Engoron ordered the Trumps to appear for a deposition by March 10. The former president was also ordered to share documents and information a week earlier. With the deadlines looming, lawyers for the Trumps could request an extension while they challenge Engoron’s ruling in the appellate court. The court did not set a date for arguments.
Lawyers for the Trumps asked the appellate court to consider whether James’s inquiry violated the Trumps’ rights under the state constitution with the subpoenas and whether Engoron’s ruling “erred” in its decision.
James has stood by her efforts to investigate Trump and said her office will continue to pursue its investigation.
“Donald Trump was ordered to comply with my investigation into his financial dealings. He has the right to seek a delay, but he can’t deter us from following the facts. Make no mistake: We will continue to pursue this case without fear or favor because no one is above the law,” James said in a statement Friday in reference to a possible appeal.
James subpoenaed the Trumps last year as part of her civil investigation into the Trump Organization. They responded with a lawsuit aimed at quashing her subpoenas, arguing that they were motivated by “political animus.” But Engoron rejected that bid and allowed James’s subpoenas to proceed. She is seeking answers from the Trumps about their business practices.
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The civil investigation in the Trump Organization began in 2019. Her office is investigating whether Trump committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets while applying for loans and key business deals and by deflating the value of his assets while paying taxes. James is also participating in a separate criminal investigation of the Trump Organization led by the Manhattan district attorney.
In addition to the New York investigations, Trump is facing a criminal investigation by District Attorney Fani Willis over whether he sought to undermine the 2020 election in Georgia. Willis has impaneled a special grand jury to assist in the investigation. She told the Associated Press she anticipates that her office will make a decision about whether or not to pursue criminal charges by the first half of 2022.
