SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Then-President Donald Trump shushed journalists before signing legislation on June 5, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump Held in Contempt of Court for Failing to Comply With Subpoena in Fraud Case
A New York state judge ordered the former president to pay a fine of $10,000 per day for every day he fails to turn over subpoenaed documents.
Apr 25, 2022
This post has been updated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James marked a "major victory" in her case against former President Donald Trump Monday as a state judge held Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena.
The former president will be fined $10,000 per day for allowing the New York state Supreme Court's March 31 deadline to pass without turning over documents related to the state's investigation into alleged financial fraud.
"Today, justice prevailed," said James. "Our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization's financial dealings will continue undeterred because no one is above the law."
James said in February that her office has obtained evidence that Trump and his real estate empire "used fraudulent and misleading financial statements to obtain economic benefit."
The documents that Trump has failed to provide to state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron include files that were kept outside the former president's office at the Trump Organization, in a storage room, in the executive office storage closet, and in other file cabinets.
James' office is also seeking records from three mobile devices used by the former president. The attorney general has made eight separate requests to Trump's team for the documents since the deadline passed.
"Donald Trump is not beyond the reach of this court's authority," said Assistant Attorney General Andrew Amer in court Monday. "Our patience is at an end, and so should the court's [be]."
Like the Manhattan district attorney's separate criminal case against Trump, James' investigation pertains to allegations that Trump's business committed fraud by intentionally misrepresenting their properties' values to potential lenders.
Engoron on Monday rebuked Trump and his legal team for failing to provide a sworn statement confirming that they had searched for the documents in question.
"I feel like there's an 800-pound gorilla in the room, and that is, why don't we have an affidavit from him?" Engoron said. "There is a difference between saying something and saying something under oath."
Trump and two of his children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, are currently awaiting a decision regarding whether they will be required to give depositions in James' civil investigation. They were ordered to do so in February but appealed the order.
James' team said Monday that it may soon take "enforcement action," such as suing the Trump Organization, which could result in major financial penalties for the company.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
This post has been updated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James marked a "major victory" in her case against former President Donald Trump Monday as a state judge held Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena.
The former president will be fined $10,000 per day for allowing the New York state Supreme Court's March 31 deadline to pass without turning over documents related to the state's investigation into alleged financial fraud.
"Today, justice prevailed," said James. "Our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization's financial dealings will continue undeterred because no one is above the law."
James said in February that her office has obtained evidence that Trump and his real estate empire "used fraudulent and misleading financial statements to obtain economic benefit."
The documents that Trump has failed to provide to state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron include files that were kept outside the former president's office at the Trump Organization, in a storage room, in the executive office storage closet, and in other file cabinets.
James' office is also seeking records from three mobile devices used by the former president. The attorney general has made eight separate requests to Trump's team for the documents since the deadline passed.
"Donald Trump is not beyond the reach of this court's authority," said Assistant Attorney General Andrew Amer in court Monday. "Our patience is at an end, and so should the court's [be]."
Like the Manhattan district attorney's separate criminal case against Trump, James' investigation pertains to allegations that Trump's business committed fraud by intentionally misrepresenting their properties' values to potential lenders.
Engoron on Monday rebuked Trump and his legal team for failing to provide a sworn statement confirming that they had searched for the documents in question.
"I feel like there's an 800-pound gorilla in the room, and that is, why don't we have an affidavit from him?" Engoron said. "There is a difference between saying something and saying something under oath."
Trump and two of his children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, are currently awaiting a decision regarding whether they will be required to give depositions in James' civil investigation. They were ordered to do so in February but appealed the order.
James' team said Monday that it may soon take "enforcement action," such as suing the Trump Organization, which could result in major financial penalties for the company.
From Your Site Articles
- Trump-Appointed Judges Quash Contempt of Court Case Against White House | Common Dreams ›
- Trump DOJ Slammed for 'Desperate' Attempt at Retribution After Subpoenas for NY AG James | Common Dreams ›
- ‘Oligarchy on Full Display’: GOP Lawmakers Block Effort to Subpoena Donald Trump Jr. Over Suspicious Pentagon Loan | Common Dreams ›
This post has been updated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James marked a "major victory" in her case against former President Donald Trump Monday as a state judge held Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena.
The former president will be fined $10,000 per day for allowing the New York state Supreme Court's March 31 deadline to pass without turning over documents related to the state's investigation into alleged financial fraud.
"Today, justice prevailed," said James. "Our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization's financial dealings will continue undeterred because no one is above the law."
James said in February that her office has obtained evidence that Trump and his real estate empire "used fraudulent and misleading financial statements to obtain economic benefit."
The documents that Trump has failed to provide to state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron include files that were kept outside the former president's office at the Trump Organization, in a storage room, in the executive office storage closet, and in other file cabinets.
James' office is also seeking records from three mobile devices used by the former president. The attorney general has made eight separate requests to Trump's team for the documents since the deadline passed.
"Donald Trump is not beyond the reach of this court's authority," said Assistant Attorney General Andrew Amer in court Monday. "Our patience is at an end, and so should the court's [be]."
Like the Manhattan district attorney's separate criminal case against Trump, James' investigation pertains to allegations that Trump's business committed fraud by intentionally misrepresenting their properties' values to potential lenders.
Engoron on Monday rebuked Trump and his legal team for failing to provide a sworn statement confirming that they had searched for the documents in question.
"I feel like there's an 800-pound gorilla in the room, and that is, why don't we have an affidavit from him?" Engoron said. "There is a difference between saying something and saying something under oath."
Trump and two of his children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, are currently awaiting a decision regarding whether they will be required to give depositions in James' civil investigation. They were ordered to do so in February but appealed the order.
James' team said Monday that it may soon take "enforcement action," such as suing the Trump Organization, which could result in major financial penalties for the company.
From Your Site Articles
- Trump-Appointed Judges Quash Contempt of Court Case Against White House | Common Dreams ›
- Trump DOJ Slammed for 'Desperate' Attempt at Retribution After Subpoenas for NY AG James | Common Dreams ›
- ‘Oligarchy on Full Display’: GOP Lawmakers Block Effort to Subpoena Donald Trump Jr. Over Suspicious Pentagon Loan | Common Dreams ›
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy