Donald Trump must testify in New York investigation, judge rules
- The decision is the latest legal blow to the ex-US president as he fights numerous cases that threaten to complicate any bid for another run at the White House
- Trump and his two eldest children, Donald Jnr and Ivanka, have been ordered to comply with subpoenas issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James
A US judge ruled Thursday that former president Donald Trump and his eldest children must testify under oath in New York’s civil probe into alleged fraud at his family business.
The ruling is the latest legal blow to the 75-year-old Trump as he fights numerous cases that threaten to complicate any bid for another run at the White House in 2024.
The Trumps have repeatedly tried to shut down the investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who last month said she had uncovered “significant evidence” of fraudulent or misleading practices at the Trump Organization.
Following more than two hours of oral arguments, state judge Arthur Engoron rejected a plea by Trump, Donald Jnr and Ivanka, to quash subpoenas issued by James in December.
He ordered the trio to sit for depositions with James’s office within 21 days. The Trumps are expected to appeal.
Their lawyers argued that the subpoenas in the civil case were an attempt by James to grab evidence for a parallel criminal investigation into the Trump Organization that she is involved with.