Ex-Trump law firm ordered to release records in New York probe

A law firm that recently cut ties with Donald Trump’s real estate company was ordered to hand over communications to New York investigators looking into whether the former president’s business manipulated the value of assets for loans and tax breaks.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP wrongly asserted attorney-client privilege over some documents subpoenaed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and must hand them over by Feb. 4, state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled Friday after privately reviewing the disputed documents.

“The court finds that many of the communications Morgan Lewis marked as privileged were communications addressing business tasks and decisions, not exchanges soliciting or rendering legal advice,” Justice Engoron said in the ruling. “Similarly, any communications within Morgan Lewis speaking to public relations are of a business, not legal, nature.”

The lawyer representing Morgan Lewis in New York’s legal action, Timothy Stephens, and spokeswoman Emily Carhart didn’t immediately issue comment on the ruling.

The ruling is the latest setback for the Trump Organization since Ms. James took legal action in August to enforce about half a dozen subpoenas, including one issued to former Trump tax attorney Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis. The investigation has emerged as one of the biggest potential threats to Mr. Trump after he left office following a failed bid for a second term.

Morgan Lewis and another firm, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, earlier this month became the latest in a growing list of firms to say they’re cutting ties with Mr. Trump and his companies. Seyfarth cited the former president’s role in stoking the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol; Morgan Lewis declined to offer a reason.