By Ashe O New York, Aug 11 : Former US President Donald Trump has declined to answer any questions to Attorney General Letitia James following a lengthy deposition invoking the 5th Amendment not to commit self-incrimination in any way.His lawyers requested to “shut down” and not get into one of his usual “egregious moods” that could compromise his criminal trial with New York DA.
Trump was summoned by AG shortly after the FBI raid on his Mar a Lago Florida residence to find classified and official documents he returned to his home following his the election, is now facing a civil lawsuit against him for deceiving and exaggerating the value of his accounts and accounts of his real estate and property to get bank loans to improve his business, and also to consolidate his earnings.
His “mum” attitude in front of the AG on Wednesday the entire family who were that was involved in his work as vice presidents has been questioned by the AG including his son Donald Trump Jr., and his daughter Ivanka Trump regarding the civil lawsuit.
The DA is investigating a separate criminal investigation of fraudulent claims against his properties to get tax breaks, denying the IRS their right to pay full dues.
He was already penalized by a fine of $110,000 for the allegations.
He has also received out millions in from of court settlements previously.
However, this one is different because two investigations focus on criminal and civil matters – the AG and the DA for the past year or longer, Business Insider reports.
In the next few weeks in the coming weeks, the AG is expected to file a huge long-awaited “enforcement enforcement action”.
“It will seek hefty penalty amounts to remedy what the AG claims is a decade-long practice of playing loose and fast with the assessed value of Trump Organization properties,” the Business Insider reports.
A source has said that the office of AG’s is in the process of preparing to unleash artillery on Trump’s companies to dispel his claims and deny of tax evasion and illegally getting tax breaks.
Trump on Wednesday finished his court-ordered testimony in the New York attorney general’s office investigation into allegations of financial misconduct within the Trump Organization and raised his right hand swearing to speak the truth, and in keeping with his word not answering questions.
The former president departed the lower 45 Manhattan Offices of Attorney General Letitia James in his motorcade around 6 hours after his arrival to the deposition, taped and closed-door.
He stood firm and cited the Fifth Amendment throughout questioning, according to two people who are familiar with his account.
“It was actually professional.” Trump lawyer Alina Habba said to Insider following the event.
What’s next for the Trumps and the Trump Organization and James the three-year investigation?
In the next few weeks In the coming weeks, the AG is likely to file a huge long-awaited “enforcement action” that is basically an extensive suit against the Trumps and his Manhattan-based business.The suit will seek severe financial penalties for a apparent 10 years-long pattern of playing loose and fast with the assessed value of Trump Organization properties.
Trump is said to have played with figures in a way that was suited to his needs, James has alleged.
He reduced the value of properties to avoid property tax.Also, he increased the value of certain of the identical property when he desired to attract bankers to get hundreds of millions in loans, James’ lawyers have claimed in court proceedings and filed.
Back taxes and fines however, are likely to be the only aspect of Trump’s worries.James has said she will also seek dissolution of the business under New York’s corporate death penalty, which allows the AG to seek to dissolve companies that are operating “in an ongoing fraudulent or illegal way.”
“This is the jewel in the crown of the real estate portfolio of his,” stated Tristan Snell as the lead prosecutor for the New York attorney general’s separate effective investigation into Trump University.”It’s all about the details, as the subject of investigation is Trump Tower (where the Trump Organization is located in Manhattan) The other it’s 40 Wall Street, which is one of his most loved properties, and possibly one of the most valuable,” Snell told Insider.
“All of his golf courses are also at risk and it’s a big deal” said the former prosecutor who went on to create MainStreet.law A firm that focuses in helping medium and small-sized enterprises.
“Trump would basically need to sell of his property,” Snell said.
“He might try a sleight of hands and make his activities covered by a new type of corporate entity however, it would be a major black eye.”
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