Donald Trump likely no longer in contempt, New York attorney general says

[June 22, 2022]  By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump is likely no longer in contempt of court for failing to comply with a subpoena in a New York civil probe into the former U.S. president's business practices, the office of state Attorney General Letitia James said on Tuesday.

In a letter filed with a New York state court in Manhattan, a lawyer for James said affidavits filed by employees of Trump businesses appeared sufficient to lift an April 25 contempt order, which led to Trump paying a $110,000 fine.

"Respondent's counsel must rely upon current employees to provide the required information," the letter said. "[We] are prepared to agree that the affidavits satisfy the court's order because it is not apparent what else, if anything, the respondent and his counsel can be ordered to do."

Alina Habba, a lawyer for Trump, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The letter also renewed James' concerns about Trump's policies toward retaining documents, citing the "apparent absence" of financial documents he ought to have that might shed light on what his businesses are worth.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to an audience at the "American Freedom Tour" event in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., June 18, 2022. REUTERS/Karen Pulfer Focht/File Photo

Justice Arthur Engoron, who had found Trump in contempt, will decide whether to lift that order.

James has for more than three years been investigating the Trump Organization, which manages hotels, golf courses and other real estate around the world.

The attorney general has said her probe has found evidence that the company overstated asset values to obtain favorable loans and understated asset values to get tax breaks.

Trump and two of his adult children, Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump, have agreed to testify under oath starting July 15, after failing to convince two state courts to scuttle their depositions.

Trump, a Republican, has called James' probe a politically motivated witch hunt. James is a Democrat.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)

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