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New York AG Says Trump Organization Probe Is Now A ‘Criminal’ Investigation

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“We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature. We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA,” New York AG Letitia James’ spokesman Fabien Levy said announcing the probe. “We have no additional comment.”

Some media reports claim that James’ just sent a few of her attorneys working on the civil case to Manhattan DA Cy Vance’s team and her office is still pursuing civil issues. From what we know the case is flimsy. The media has reported they think they have Trump on appraisal shopping which is common in New York real estate.

Other reports say Trump has tax liability issues but then again Trump pays people to do his taxes and taking creative, legal deductions may not be good politics but it is not illegal. And remember, Trump said the tax code was a joke and rich guys like him can pay good accountants to get breaks when he ran. In short, New York politicians better be careful not to bring charges because of public sentiment only to see Trump walk away after the case falls apart as that will prove Trump’s claims that this is all about politics.

From CNN:

A person familiar with the investigation said a couple of investigators with the New York attorney general’s office, who are steeped in knowledge about the Trump Organization, have joined the district attorney’s team.

A different person familiar with the matter said the New York attorney general is still conducting a civil investigation.

Trump has previously called the New York attorney general’s investigation politically motivated.

For the past two years, James’ office looked into matters including whether or not it improperly inflated assets on financial statements to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits, as well as how Trump Organization employees were compensated.

Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen testified before Congress in 2019 that Trump’s annual financial statements inflated the value of his assets to secure favorable loans and insurance coverage, but deflated the value of other assets to reduce real estate taxes.

Investigators have deposed multiple Trump Organization officials including Eric Trump, the former President’s son, and Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg.

Trump’s longtime tax attorney Sheri Dillon was also deposed but the state says she declined to answer certain questions.

From Fox News:

James’ office has been investigating possible violations by the Trump Organization over the way it has valued its holdings as it has sought tax breaks and loans, WABC-TV of New York City reported.

The Trump Organization was already informed about the status change for the investigation in late April, The Washington Post reported.

If the investigation results in any criminal charges, those charges would be brought forth by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, not James’ state office, WABC reported.

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