New York AG Letitia James announces lawsuit of Donald Trump, his company and family members over fraud claims

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New York Attorney General Leticia James, who is conducting a civil investigation into former President Donald Trump’s company, has announced a major lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, three of his grown children and his company over widespread allegations of fraud.

James’ announcement comes nearly a week after The New York Times reported that she rejected an offer from Trump’s lawyers to settle her investigation of the Trump Organization, which is based in Manhattan.

James’ office was investigating the company for possibly fraudulently misreporting the value of various real estate assets in order to obtain financial benefits in the form of more favorable loans and insurance, as well as tax breaks.

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and accused James, a Democrat, of being politically motivated to investigate the former Republican president.

In August, Trump appeared for a deposition conducted by James’ attorneys. He invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 440 times, refusing to answer questions under oath.

Donald Trump Jr., who runs the Trump Organization with his brother Eric, answered questions from investigators under oath earlier in August, as did their sister Ivanka Trump. Ivanka previously served as executive director of the Trump Organization.

Eric Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 500 times when he was questioned under oath in the investigation in October 2020, according to a court filing in January.

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