Realty News

Trump's New York contempt order is lifted by a Judge

Jan 7, 2023

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower in Manhattan on August 15, 2021 in New York City.

Getty Images

On Wednesday, a New York judge lifted the contempt-of court order against Donald Trump. This was after Trump failed comply with a subpoena issued by the state to investigate his business.

Arthur Engoron, a New York Supreme Court Judge, stated in court filing that he lifted the contempt orders after reviewing "recent additional submissions” from Trump's legal team.

Letitia James of New York, Attorney General, is leading the civil investigation into Trump Organization. She agreed that the newly filed documents were sufficient to lift this order, the judge wrote.

Engoron wrote "It is ordered that the contemptuous response of Donald J. Trump shall be expurged."

In regard to the $110,000 Trump was fined as part of his contempt condition, Engoron instructed that the money remain in the attorney General's escrow account until an appeal decision is made.

CNBC declined to comment on a request from James' office.

Alina Habba, an attorney for Trump, said in a statement to CNBC: "Although we are pleased that the court has lifted the contempt finding, we maintain that it was wholly unwarranted and improper in the first place. We will keep pursuing our appeal in order to obtain justice for our customer.

James is investigating allegations against the Trump Organization that it improperly reported valuations for real estate assets to make financial gain.

Engoron's Wednesday afternoon order came two months after Trump was held in contempt of Court for failing to turn over documents pursuant a subpoena issued by James' office.

Trump was accused by his attorney general of "trying" to evade the court's order to him to fully cooperate with the investigation. Trump and his lawyers had submitted Engoron sworn statement, arguing that there were no additional documents they could turn over. However, the judge rejected them.

Trump was ordered to pay $10,000 per day in contempt of court until he was found in compliance.

Trump appealed against the order of the judge and asked for the appellate court's stay of Engoron’s order. This request was rejected by the appeals division.

Related Posts