Topline
A New York judge upheld his ruling Friday that found former President Donald Trump in contempt of court for refusing to comply with a subpoena from New York Attorney General Letitia James—despite sworn affidavits from Trump and his lawyers saying they did not have the documents requested.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on April 9, 2022, in Selma, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris … [+]
Key Facts
New York State Judge Arthur Engoron said in a court filing the new affidavits were “insufficient” to reverse his ruling finding Trump in contempt, which comes with a $10,000 fine per day until he hands over the documents.
In Trump’s affidavit, Trump said that he does not have any of the documents requested in his “personal possession,” adding that if any relevant documents remained, he believed they would be “in the possession of custody of the Trump Organization.”
Engoron wrote in the filing that he was not satisfied with the level of detail in Trump’s affidavit, and that there is no evidence Trump completed a thorough search for the records.
Alina Habba, Trump’s lawyer, argued last week Trump did not have the documents, and called the $10,000 a day fine “grossly excessive” and “little more than a contrived publicity stunt.”
Engoron held Trump in contempt of court on Monday after James argued Trump “did not comply at all” with her subpoena to hand over tax records and other documents, despite a March 31 deadline to do so.
Trump’s office and the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Big Number
$40,000. That’s how much Trump owes in fines so far, until he complies with the subpoena. Insider reported Thursday Trump has not yet paid any of the penalties.
Key Background
James requested the documents as part of her long-running civil probe into the Trump Organization’s business practices, which has centered on whether Trump overvalued his assets to secure loans, while undervaluing them to save on his tax bill. James wrote in a court filing last month that the Trump Organization misstated asset valuations for over a decade, and that she has found “significant evidence” Trump manipulated some valuations to get tax breaks or more favorable lending terms. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has counter-sued James, claiming her investigation violates his constitutional rights.
Further Reading
Judge Holds Trump In Contempt For Failing To Hand Over Records To New York AG (Forbes)
Trump Tells Court He Doesn’t Have Documents Subpoenaed By New York Attorney General (Forbes)
Trump Organization Misstated Asset Valuations For Over A Decade, New York Attorney General Says (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/annakaplan/2022/04/29/judge-blocks-trumps-attempt-to-lift-contempt-charge-after-swearing-he-doesnt-have-documents/