Trump To Testify July 15 In New York Fraud Investigation

Topline

Former President Donald Trump and his two oldest adult children are set to testify starting July 15 in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ (D) probe into allegations of financial fraud at the Trump Organization, according to a court filing, following a string of legal losses in the ex-president’s attempt to block the investigation.

Key Facts

A New York appellate court ruled late last month that the former president, along with Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have to testify under oath.

A stipulation filed Wednesday and signed by attorneys for Trump and his children set July 15 as the start date for testimony, which will conclude “by the following week.”

Trump spokeswoman Margo Martin did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Forbes, but Trump has called the investigation a political “witch hunt” on numerous occasions.

The former president’s middle son, Eric, gave a deposition in the probe in 2020.

Key Background

James’ investigation was sparked by testimony Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, gave to Congress in 2019. Cohen alleged Trump and his business associates at the Trump Organization regularly committed fraud by inflating the value of assets to secure loans from banks but undervalued assets to governmental bodies to save on tax bills. The attorney general’s investigation is a civil case that could result in a lawsuit, but not criminal charges, against the ex-president.

Tangent

Trump is facing probes into similar financial fraud claims in Manhattan and Westchester County, New York, which are criminal cases.

Surprising Fact

Trump appeared for a deposition in October in a case involving a group of Mexican protesters who accused Trump’s security guard of assaulting them outside of Trump Tower in 2015.

Further Reading

Trump Must Testify In New York Financial Fraud Probe, Court Says (Forbes)

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