2 hours ago
Investigation into allegations that Trump’s assets were inflated
A US judge has found former President Donald Trump guilty of contempt of court for failing to hand over documents to investigators investigating his business practices.
On Monday, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay a fine of $10,000 per day until he complied by submitting the documents.
New York Attorney General Letitia James had asked the court to convict Trump of contempt, after a deadline for him to submit certain documents expired in March.
Trump’s lawyer said she would appeal the ruling.
“We did everything your judge and (everything) the prosecutor said we didn’t,” attorney Alina Happa said in court.
She added that after a “very diligent” search, there were simply no more relevant documents to provide.
James, a Democrat, opened a civil investigation in 2019 into allegations that – before taking office – Trump, a Republican, inflated the value of his assets to banks when seeking loans.
Trump and his family have denied any wrongdoing, questioning the motives of the investigation.
Judge Engoron said the contempt investigation was warranted due to what he called “repeated failures” to deliver the requested items.
Although the former president was not in the courtroom, the judge said, “Mr. Trump…I know you take your business very seriously, and I take my business very seriously. And here I am, condemning you to civil contempt.”
The attorney general’s office called the ruling a “big victory” in the legal battle against Trump.
“Today, justice prevailed,” James said, adding, “For years, Donald Trump has tried to evade the law and stop our legal investigation into him and his company’s financial dealings. Today’s ruling makes it clear: No one is above the law.”