In a new legal maneuver, New York Attorney General Letitia James has turned to Ivanka Trump’s credit card bills in her ongoing $250 million lawsuit against former President Donald Trump.
Newsweek has revealed that the lawsuit alleges that Trump inflated his net worth by billions of dollars between 2011 and 2021 to gain various financial benefits, including better bank loans and reduced tax bills. While Trump maintains his innocence, the lawsuit, which is civil in nature, will not lead to potential jail time. Trump has also pleaded not guilty to the three other indictments he is currently facing.
Ivanka Trump: Could She Bring Down Donald Trump
In a previous ruling, Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump, his adult sons, their businesses, and executives had engaged in fraudulent activities. The judge will now deliberate on six additional allegations, including falsifying business records, insurance fraud, and conspiracy claims.
James had sought to compel Ivanka Trump to testify during the trial, but her legal team filed a motion last week to quash a subpoena, citing her removal from the case earlier this year due to a statute of limitations.
However, in a recent filing, James argued that Ivanka Trump should still be required to testify, regardless of her status as a defendant in the civil suit. The motion contends that she remains under the control of the Trump Organization and has significant ongoing business ties with the organization.
James stated in the motion, “Ms. Trump remains under the control of the Trump Organization, including through her ongoing and substantial business ties to the organization. Ms. Trump reappointed herself to a participating member of several Trump Organization entities following her departure from government.”
The motion further claimed that Ivanka Trump only distances herself from her father’s business when questioned about her involvement. James argued that her efforts to separate herself from the Trump Organization carry “no legal weight.”
Ivanka’s Involvement
The Attorney General pointed out Ivanka’s involvement in various matters, including property sales, insurance purchases, management of household staff, credit card bills, apartment rentals, and legal fees in the ongoing case. James also rejected claims that the subpoena was not properly served, asserting that sufficient service was indeed made to compel Ivanka Trump’s testimony, whether individually or as an officer or agent of the corporate entities in question.
As the trial proceeds, the valuation of Ivanka’s penthouse has come under scrutiny. Donald Bender, a partner at Mazars USA and a long-time accountant for Trump’s businesses, testified that the valuation assigned to the Trump Park Avenue penthouse differed from the price offered to Ivanka Trump for an outright purchase. James’ lawsuit alleges that the Trump Organization valued the apartment at $20.8 million, whereas Ivanka Trump was offered an option price of $8.5 million.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
From the Vault
