Trump set to be questioned in July in NY civil probe
Judge OKs agreement for testimony out of court starting July 15
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump, his namesake son and his daughter Ivanka have agreed to answer questions under oath next month in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into his business practices, unless their lawyers persuade the state’s highest court to step in.
A Manhattan judge signed off Wednesday on an agreement that calls for the Trumps to give sworn, pretrial testimony out of court starting July 15.
Messages seeking comment were sent to the ex-president’s attorneys. State Attorney General Letitia James’ office declined to comment, as did the younger Trumps’ attorney, Alan Futerfas.
Another Trump son, Eric Trump, gave a deposition in 2020, but declined to answer some questions.
The new agreement comes after a series of setbacks for Donald Trump’s efforts to block James’ three-year investigation.
James has said the probe has uncovered evidence that Trump’s company exaggerated the value of such assets as skyscrapers, golf courses and even his Manhattan penthouse to get loans, insurance and tax breaks for land donations. A lawyer for her office told a judge last month that evidence could support legal action against the former president, his company, or both, though the attorney said no decision had been made.
Trump has decried the investigation as part of a political “witch hunt” against him.
A New York state appeals court ruled May 26 that upheld a lower court’s ruling that the attorney general had “the clear right” to question Trump and certain other principals in his company.
Then, on May 27, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that Trump had filed to seek a court order stopping James from investigating him.
A lawyer for Trump said at the time the dismissal would be appealed.