The former president reversed an earlier decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in a legal battle with New York Attorney General Letitia James over his company’s business practices. He spent nearly seven hours answering questions during his second deposition on Thursday.
Trump met with James’ legal team all day, who filed a lawsuit against him last year. As a result of Trump and his family providing false information to bankers and other business associates about his net worth and the value of properties, such as hotels and golf courses, the lawsuit alleges that he got away with misleading them about his wealth.
Upon Trump’s arrival at the Manhattan building where James’ offices are located, his attorney, Alina Habba, stated that he was willing and eager to testify. Trump spent almost seven hours explaining the success of his business during the deposition, according to Christopher Kise, a lawyer representing his companies.
Kise emphasized that the transactions at the heart of the case were highly profitable for the banks and Trump’s entities. He expressed confidence that once the facts are revealed, rather than politically motivated soundbites, the notion of any fraud occurring would be dismissed.
As a former president, Trump was arraigned for the first time last week after the Manhattan district attorney filed felony criminal charges against him.
James refrained from commenting on the deposition during a press conference on an unrelated matter. Previously, Trump had invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 400 times during an August 10th meeting with James’ lawyers, refusing to answer all but a few procedural questions.
Since then, circumstances have changed. The Manhattan district attorney’s Center brought criminal charges on the company’s internal accounting for payments to lawyer Michael Cohen. On the other hand, James’ lawsuit focuses on allegations of Trump lying about his wealth and inflating the value of his assets on financial statements.
Trump called the suit “ridiculous” in a social media post on Thursday morning, likening it to other election interference cases filed against him. He left Trump Tower in the morning and arrived at the attorney general’s office around 9:40 a.m., with both parties taking a lunch break. Trump left just before 6:15 p.m. without speaking to reporters.
The lawsuit is set for trial in October, and video recordings of Trump’s depositions could be played during the trial if a settlement is not reached. The deposition was conducted privately.
The ongoing lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, continues progressing as both parties prepare for the upcoming October trial. Trump’s recent deposition, lasting almost seven hours, showcased his willingness to address the allegations.
In the coming months, both parties will review and analyze the deposition as they build their respective cases. According to the lawsuit, Trump and his family provided false information about the value of Trump’s assets and his net worth to banks and business associates.
Legal experts anticipate that the video recordings of Trump’s depositions may become crucial evidence during the trial, especially if a settlement is reached after a settlement. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the former president, who has already been arraigned on separate criminal charges.
As the trial date approaches, the public and media will closely monitor the case’s developments. While the deposition was conducted privately, further information and details are expected to be revealed as the legal process unfolds.
Trump, who has remained vocal on social media, continues to dismiss the lawsuit as “ridiculous” and an attempt to interfere with the election. Regardless of the outcome, the lawsuit is another example of the polarizing nature of Trump’s office time and ongoing legal challenges in his post-presidential life.
