Former President Trump stated on Wednesday he would not answer questions regarding his business and finances posed by the New York attorney general.
Donald Trump leaving Trump Tower this morning. The former president is expected to be deposed by lawyers from NY AG Leticia James’ office today as part of a civil-fraud probe into the Trump Organization. @newsmax pic.twitter.com/nbn4SZbh0C
— Mike Carter (@MikeCarterTV) August 10, 2022
In a statement published on the website 45office.com, Trump said he once inquired of a person, “If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” He now knows the response to that question.
“When your family, business, and everyone in your orbit is the focus of a baseless, politically driven witch hunt backed by lawyers, judges, and the fake news media, you have no other option than to defend yourself.”
Legal Advice
According to reports, the former president arrived at the New York attorney general’s office on Wednesday morning after several attempts to halt the investigation apparently failed.
Trump stated he declined to answer questions at the recommendation of his legal staff.
In a statement that was made public, the former president stated he intends to make use of the Constitution to its fullest extent.
This is to defend himself against the malicious attack being perpetrated by this presidency, this attorney general’s office, as well as any and all other threats on his family, his business, and the nation.
The former president also blasted New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) as a “renegade and out-of-control prosecutor” for what he termed a “false years-long battle” against him.
The office of James is examining if the former president deceived financiers and tax authorities by exaggerating the property worth of his Trump Organization to attract investments and then deflating it to obtain tax and loan benefits.
According to reports, the civil inquiry could result in a lawsuit demanding monetary damages against the former president.
Despite the fact Donald Trump pleaded the Fifth today, NY AG Letitia James says her investigation ALREADY found evidence the Trump Organization puffed up the value of real estate assets to snag loans, insurance and tax breaks for land donations. Happy Wednesday!
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) August 10, 2022
Appeal Court Ruling
As reported by The New York Times, even though Trump stated he asserted his Fifth Amendment rights during Wednesday’s questioning, the deposition may go on for hours.
Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., along with their father, were summoned earlier this year and provided depositions earlier this month.
Before a judge and an appellate court ordered the Trump family to appear in court, they spent months fighting subpoenas issued by the New York attorney general.
The depositions of Trump and his children, which had been set to take place in the middle of July, were postponed by James after Ivana Trump, the former president’s first wife, passed away the day before.
James’ investigation and Trump’s deposition occur as the Department of Justice continues its independent inquiry into the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The FBI conducted a raid at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday.
Republican senators and Trump allies have criticized the FBI and demanded the Justice Department justify the search. The government and FBI have not yet disclosed the reason for the warrant.
This article appeared in The Political Globe and has been published here with permission.
