NY's attorney general will depose Trump on Wednesday

NY's attorney general will depose Trump on Wednesday

Updated on August 10, 2022 18:50 PM by Andrew Koschiev

New York Attorney General Letitia James'

Former President Donald Trump will be deposed by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office on Wednesday, media sources say, pitting the two enemies against each other following a three-year civil inquiry into the Trump Organization's finances.

Uncertain if Trump will answer questions or use his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

The FBI

Trump posted early Wednesday morning on Truth Social that he would "James "for the greatest U.S. Witch Hunt! My company and I are under threat. BR!" The deposition comes during an unusual legal week for Bush.

Monday, the FBI searched his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, in connection with a classified documents investigation. A federal appeals court refused his long-running bid to keep a House committee from acquiring his tax records.

Add Block

The Manhattan DA

Some Trump aides have urged the former president to answer questions since he already testified under oath about his financial statements, while others have counseled him against doing so due to legal risks, CNN reports.

The Manhattan DA is investigating the Trump Organization. Political consequences of not answering questions have also been explored, as Trump is anticipated to run for president in 2024. Trump said in 2016 that not responding to questions showed guilt. In 2016, Trump asked, "If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth?"

Trump's lawyer

Trump's lawyer didn't comment. The attorney general's office didn't immediately comment. Trump's testimony comes near the end of a long-running New York state inquiry into whether the Trump Organization misled lenders, insurers, and tax officials.

James' office discovered "strong" evidence in January that the Trump Organization used fraudulent or misleading asset assessments to get loans, insurance, and tax benefits. The attorney general's civil inquiry is nearing completion, and enforcement action may be forthcoming.

Add Block

Trump Organization

Former president and Trump Organization deny wrongdoing, calling James' inquiry political. Trump insulted James. Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump were subpoenaed for depositions. Ivanka Trump was deposed last week, insiders indicate.

Add Block

Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump

Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump did not assert their Fifth Amendment rights, individuals said. What was requested or stated is unclear. Eric Trump and former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 500 times when deposed in 2020.

Since leaving office, Trump has been deposed and has testified under oath in civil litigation. Last year, he gave videotaped testimony in a Trump Tower assault complaint. Fall is trial time. Trump claims innocence.

Defamation lawsuit

Trump has been questioned about his net worth and financial disclosures in previous disputes, according to some advisers. In a 2007 deposition in a defamation lawsuit.

Trump said he determined his net worth based on his "feelings" and "best spin" on some properties. "I think everyone" overstates property values, he said. "Who wouldn't?" Did he overestimate? Trump answered, "Not unreasonable."

Add Block

Weisselberg

Trump has sought to blame Weisselberg for his valuation mistakes, but documents and depositions reveal he was heavily involved in running his firm. In a 2007 deposition, Trump maintained he solely worked with Weisselberg on financial statements.

Trump testified, "I'll give my opinion." Weisselberg came up with the final values, which Trump called "conservative," he said. Trump has ready reasons for annual value swings.

Add Block

Seven Springs family estate in Westchester County

Trump was questioned about the Seven Springs family estate in Westchester County, New York, where its value nearly doubled from $80 million in 2005 to $150 million in 2006. Trump: "The property was priced very little then and it immediately went up."

He was questioned if he had any evidence outside his opinion. "No," he responded. Jeff McConney, the Trump Organization's controller, and Donald Bender, the firm's external accountant, have also been interrogated.

Cushman & Wakefield

Trump's lawyers may argue that the financial statements weren't audited, thus anyone relying on them was warned. CNN's financial records include several disclosures that don't follow GAAP. No lender lost money, making it tougher to claim they were cheated or misled.

Trump's longtime appraiser Cushman & Wakefield provided several of the property appraisals. Cushman, which lost connections with Trump following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, denies culpability.

If Trump is sued by James

If Trump is sued by James and the matter goes to trial, the jury could draw an "adverse inference" against him for not answering questions, resulting in a greater judgment if he's held culpable.

He could face civil and criminal liability if he answers inquiries. Alvin Bragg's investigation has slowed but not stopped. Bragg refused to let prosecutors submit evidence to a state grand jury earlier this year, A special grand jury hearing the case's evidence expired in April, but another might be seated. Bragg told the media in April, "If there's testimony in a parallel civil-criminal inquiry, we'll look at it."

add Block

What's New : Viral