Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. on Monday refused to comply with a subpoena issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James, The Associated Press reports.
James’ office said in a court filing that it recently issued subpoenas to former President Donald and his eldest children in her long-running investigation into the Trump Organization’s business practices.
The filing was made as James asks the court to enforce the subpoena.
James’ office said it is seeking testimony and documents related to the company, including “the valuation of properties owned or controlled” controlled by the Trump Organization or Trump himself.
Earlier reports revealed that James had requested Trump sit for a deposition as well.
A judge overseeing the case agreed to hear arguments over the court filing. The judge, Arthur Engoron, previously sided with James on other issues in the investigation, including making Eric Trump testify after his lawyers abruptly canceled his scheduled deposition.
Trumps try to quash:
Lawyers for the Trumps filed documents seeking to quash the subpoenas, arguing they are “an unprecedented and unconstitutional maneuver.”
The filing also argues that James is attempting to gain testimony that could be used against the Trumps in a separate criminal investigation led by the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
The filing alleges James “seeks to circumvent the entire grand jury process” and force the Trumps to provide testimony that could be used in the Manhattan case.
James pushes back:
James on Monday vowed to press on to force the Trumps to testify.
“For more than two years, members of the Trump family and the Trump Organization have continually sought to delay and impede our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, but despite their names, they must play by the same rules as everyone else,” she said in a statement. “These delay tactics will not stop us from following the facts or the law, which is why we will be asking the court to compel Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump to testify with our office under oath. Our investigation will continue undeterred.”
