“After a thorough search and review, the defendant’s lawyer found that the defendant did not have any documents matching the subpoena and that all potentially matching documents were in the possession, custody or control of the Trump Organization,” Trump’s lawyer Alina Haba told the court. file on tuesday.
New York Attorney General Leticia James wants to detain Trump and fine him $ 10,000 a day for failing to comply with a summons sent in December for documents. Investigators are looking for documents and communications related to Trump’s financial statements, valuation of assets in the accounts and records used to prepare the accounts, according to the subpoena.
James’ subpoena is also looking for records related to the financing of the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, conservation easements, planned development at the Trump mansion, known as Seven Springs, insurance coverage and records of his wealth provided to Forbes reporters. .
James’ office is under increasing pressure to enforce subpoenas as it sets a deadline of the end of April, when the charging agreement with the Trump Organization expires. Last month, at his request, New York State Judge Arthur Engoren set a deadline requiring the Trump Organization to comply fully with subpoenas by April 29. James’ office also pressured Trump to personally respond to requests for documents by moving to hold him in civil contempt.
James claims that since the investigation began in 2019, her office has uncovered “significant” evidence showing that the Trump Organization has used fraudulent or misleading asset valuations to obtain a number of economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage and tax relief ‘.
Trump has denied wrongdoing, and a Trump spokesman said in a statement that “the allegations are baseless and will be vigorously defended.”
The dispute over Trump’s records was reviewed in January court documents when James’ office said it had learned from witnesses that Trump kept paper copies of documents and used sticky notes to communicate with employees. It says the archives relating to Trump’s recordings have never been searched to comply with a subpoena.
“This file was never requested because Trump’s organization found it unbelievable that Mr. Trump was not involved in preparing his own financial statements,” the AG office said.
At a court hearing last month, a lawyer for the Attorney General’s Office said it was “incredible” that Trump’s organization had identified only 10 documents that it said came from Trump’s official files.
Investigators also tried to hold longtime Trump Organization assessor Cushman & Wakefield in disrespect for failing to comply with the summons. The prosecution said it was investigating the potential guilt of the appraisers in preparing the financial statements. Cushman said it was “fundamentally untrue”, that he had not responded to the Attorney General’s office and that he stood by his assessors.
Engoron has scheduled a hearing Monday to consider the prosecutor’s request for contempt.
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