New York judge holds Trump in contempt of court News
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New York judge holds Trump in contempt of court

The Honorable Judge Arthur Engoron of the New York County State Supreme Court Monday ruled that Donald Trump is in civil contempt of court. Engoron will fine the former President $10,000 a day until he purges, or rectifies, the contempt.

New York Attorney General Letitia James subpoenaed Trump as part of a financial investigation by her office into the Trump Organization. On February 17, Engoron ruled that Trump must “comply in full” with the subpoena and appear for a deposition by March 31. The order also mandated that Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. appear for depositions.

James filed a motion for contempt on April 7 after Trump again failed to deliver documents and information despite a “crystal clear order from the court.” James’s motion also asked Engoron to fine Trump $10,000 for every day that he withheld documents. Engoron imposed the recommended fine, but the court has not established a start date for payments.

On Monday’s ruling, James said: “For years, Donald Trump has tried to evade the law and stop our lawful investigation into him and his company’s financial dealings. Today’s ruling makes clear: No one is above the law.”

Last week, Trump issued a statement calling James “racist and highly partisan” and criticizing her for “spending millions of dollars and utilizing a large portion of her office in going after” his organization. In response, James’s office said the attorney general would “not be bullied or intimidated by the former president.”