A New York judge ruled on Tuesday that the Trump Organization must turn over documents to New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) as part of her office’s probe into whether President TrumpDonald TrumpTop Trump aide Derek Lyons to leave White House this month Judge rules Trump Org must turn over documents to NY AG as part of probe Longtime GOP strategist Steve Schmidt announces he’s registering Democrat MORE illegally inflated assets for financial gain.
James disclosed that she was investigating several Trump properties in August, when she asked the court to force the Trump Organization to provide documents regarding several transactions.
The court ruled in her favor in September, but questions still remained as to whether it could withhold documents involving an engineer in connection to the Seven Springs Resort in Westchester County.
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The Trump Organization argued that the documents were shielded by attorney-client privilege. Now, with Tuesday’s ruling, the organization is required to hand over those documents.
Amy Carlin, an attorney for the Trump Organization, argued that it had “every expectation that those communications would be confidential,” CNN reported.
However, Eric Haren, representing the attorney general’s office, said the organization “waived privilege” when it disclosed certain documents to the IRS to “gain benefit,” according to the news outlet.
New York County State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that the Trump Organization must hand over the communications by Friday.
“Once again, justice and the rule of law prevailed,” James said in a statement. “We will immediately move to ensure that the Trump Organization complies with the court’s order and submits records related to our investigation. My office’s ongoing investigation will continue, as we continue to follow the facts wherever they may lead.”
The Hill has reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.
James began investigating in March 2019 after Michael CohenMichael Dean CohenJudge rules Trump Org must turn over documents to NY AG as part of probe New York attorney general predicts Trump will step down, allow Pence to pardon him For the Trump-haters, everything is a crime MORE, President Trump’s former attorney, testified to Congress that the president altered the value of his assets to get loans, better insurance rates and tax breaks.