Trump Depositions In New York Probe Delayed After Ivana’s Death

Topline

Depositions that were set to begin Friday of former President Donald Trump and his two oldest adult children as part of a civil investigation by the New York state attorney general into potential financial fraud by the Trump Organization have been postponed following the death of Ivana Trump, but the office of Attorney General Letitia James (D) said the depositions will be “rescheduled as soon as possible.”

Key Facts

AG spokesman Delaney Kempner said in a statement that the former president’s lawyer requested the delay, which James agreed to.

New dates for the depositions have not been announced.

Ivana Trump, 73, was found dead Thursday at her New York City apartment.

She was the mother of Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, who were set to testify starting Friday, while her third child with the former president, Eric Trump, already appeared for a deposition in the case.

Key Background

The investigation is focused on determining whether the Trump Organization knowingly misvalued assets for financial gain—inflating values to secure bank loans while undervaluing them to save on tax bills. Trump has continually denied any wrongdoing and has labeled James’ investigation a partisan “witch hunt.” The former president has attempted several legal maneuvers to avoid cooperating with the investigation, which have been unsuccessful. Last month, he paid $110,000 to James’ office as part of an agreement with a judge to lift a contempt ruling after he failed to comply with a subpoena requesting Trump Organization documents, which Trump claimed he did not possess. James’ investigation is a civil probe that could result in a lawsuit against the former president, but he is the subject of criminal investigations over similar accusations in Manhattan and Westchester County, New York.

Tangent

Ivana Trump was married to Donald Trump from 1977 to 1992. During that time, she served in several top roles in Trump family businesses, including as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.

Further Reading

Ivana Trump—President Trump’s First Wife—Dies At 73 (Forbes)

Trump Pays $110,000 Fine Required To Lift Contempt Ruling, New York AG Says (Forbes)

Trump’s Golf Club Now Faces Criminal Investigation—As Legal Troubles Mount For Former President (Forbes)

Trump’s New York Contempt Ruling Lifted After Paying $110,000 Fine (Forbes)

Trump To Testify July 15 In New York Fraud Investigation (Forbes)