New York judge holds Trump-associated real estate firm in contempt for failing to comply with subpoena News
wallyg, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
New York judge holds Trump-associated real estate firm in contempt for failing to comply with subpoena

A New York judge Tuesday held real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield in contempt of court for failing to comply with a subpoena to produce documents in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ civil investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization’s financial dealings.

James subpoenaed Cushman & Wakefield to produce documents related to real estate services the company provided to the Trump Organization over a series of years. Cushman & Wakefield provided the Trump Organization with services including appraisals and brokerage services. The relevant subpoenas were served in September 2021 and February 2022. Cushman & Wakefield refused to comply with the subpoenas as they related to three Trump-owned properties located at the Seven Springs Estate, Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles and 40 Wall Street. The real estate company also refused to disclose general information about their business relationship with the Trump Organization.

In April 2022, New York Justice Arthur Engoron held that Cushman & Wakefield had to comply with the subpoena and turn over the relevant documents. Cushman & Wakefield, however, never provided James with the documents. As a result, James moved to hold the company in contempt of court. Engoron again heard the argument and found in favor of James.

Cushman & Wakefield was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with the subpoenas and was served a $10,000 fine for every day that it continues to delay document production.

The New York Attorney General’s investigation into Trump and his organization first began back in 2019. The investigation centers around a claim that Trump and his organization used inaccurate evaluations of assets to obtain loans and tax breaks.