In a tough legal battle in New York, former US President Donald Trump was fined for refusing to provide information. On Monday, a judge charged Trump with contempt of court, ruling that the Republican must pay $10,000 for each day he fails to submit requested documents. The announcement was made by the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had requested the sentence.
The backdrop is civil investigations by the Democratic Attorney General against Trump’s corporate empire for possibly fraudulent business practices. James took the decision as a victory for justice and a sign that no one is above the law. “For years, Donald Trump has tried to circumvent the law and prevent our legal investigations into him and his company’s financial dealings,” she said. The New York Times reported that a lawyer for Trump now wants to appeal.
Trump denies the allegations
According to James, Trump and the Trump Organization used fraudulent and misleading financial reporting to gain economic advantage. It is also the suspicion that the Trump company has given false information about the value of the properties. Trump’s company denies the allegations. Donald Trump is the founder of the Trump Organization, his two sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are the vice presidents of the conglomerate of companies, which is mainly active in the real estate sector.
At the same time, criminal investigations against Trump and his empire are also underway in New York. A New York judge ruled in mid-February in the civil suit that the 75-year-old and his two children would face interrogation within 21 days. Trump is taking legal action against that decision. The court also ruled that Trump must submit a set of documents to the attorney general’s office by March 3. The deadline was later extended to the end of March. James accuses Trump of violating a court order to postpone the investigation.