In the ongoing civil fraud trial initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James against former President Donald Trump, the Trump Organization, and Trump’s adult sons, a significant ruling was issued by New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron. The ruling requires Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the former president, to testify in the case, marking a notable development in the legal proceedings.
The lawsuit, brought by Attorney General Letitia James, alleges a pattern of fraud spanning decades, with the defendants accused of manipulating the valuations of their assets to obtain tax benefits and favorable insurance coverage. Throughout the trial, the Trump family and the Trump Organization have consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the case as a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
Ivanka Trump was originally a party in the lawsuit, but she was dismissed from the case by a New York appeals court in June. The court ruled that the claims against her were time-barred by the state’s statute of limitations. However, Judge Engoron’s recent ruling affirmed that her dismissal from the case does not exempt her from being compelled to testify, following a subpoena from the attorney general’s office. The court scheduled her testimony to occur after November 1, allowing time for her legal team to pursue potential appeals.
In addition to Ivanka Trump, other key figures, including former President Donald Trump and his adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are expected to testify as the trial continues. Donald Trump previously took the stand briefly during the trial, addressing comments he had made to reporters that were determined to be in violation of a previously established gag order.
Ivanka Trump’s legal team had argued that the New York attorney general’s office lacked jurisdiction to force her to testify, contending that her involvement in the case was improper, given her dismissal and her status as a non-resident of New York. Despite these objections, Judge Engoron upheld the subpoena, citing Ivanka Trump’s business activities in New York as a basis for her continued connection to the state.
The civil fraud trial, which is now in its fourth week, is expected to extend until at least December 22, as it progresses with further testimonies and evidence presented in the courtroom.
