In a recent development, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron has mandated Ivanka Trump to provide testimony in the ongoing civil fraud case involving her family and their eponymous business. This ruling comes after arguments put forth by the Trump defendants, claiming that the disputed transactions had exceeded the statute of limitations. However, Attorney General Letitia James countered that fraudulently secured loans could still be subject to prosecution if they were being repaid during the statutory period.
While Justice Engoron agreed with the Attorney General, the First Judicial Department of New York later reversed this decision, stating that claims against the Trump Organization originating before February 6, 2016, were barred by the statute of limitations. Consequently, Ivanka Trump was dismissed from the case as she had distanced herself from the family real estate business by then to pursue her ventures in the family’s political endeavors.
However, controversies surrounding this matter persist. Trump’s legal representatives argue that the appellate order extends the statute of limitations to evidence as well, rendering anything prior to February 2016 inadmissible in court. Justice Engoron has dismissed this argument, allowing prosecutors to present pre- and post-2016 dealings with the defendants from Trump’s auditors and accountants.
In response, Trump has taken to social media to express his dissatisfaction, accusing Justice Engoron of being biased against him and refusing to accept the First Department’s decision. He insists that the case should be dropped immediately, asserting that they had emerged victorious on the statute of limitations issue.
Furthermore, Trump’s legal team has attempted to block Ivanka Trump from being called as a witness, alleging that subpoenas issued by the Attorney General were invalid and aimed at harassing both Ivanka and her father. They argue that Ivanka, now a Florida resident no longer under the control of the Trump Organization, falls outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Prosecutors have debunked this argument, highlighting that Ivanka had contested the case for years without questioning the court’s personal jurisdiction over her as a Florida resident. Additionally, she continues to own real estate in New York and is involved in multiple New York entities, including Ivanka OPO LLC, which paid her $4 million in 2022 after the sale of the Trump hotel in the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C. The Attorney General also points out Ivanka’s selective involvement in the family business, benefiting from various arrangements while attempting to disassociate herself when called upon to answer for her actions.
Ultimately, Justice Engoron ruled in favor of the Attorney General, ordering Ivanka Trump to testify in court. However, he allowed her a week to appeal and seek possible relief from the First Department.
Moving forward, prosecutors have announced their intention to call the three Trump children in the coming week, reserving Donald Trump himself for Monday, November 6, ensuring an intriguing and eventful trial.
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