A judge has ruled that Ivanka Trump must testify in the ongoing civil fraud case against her father, former President Donald Trump, and her brothers, Don Jr. and Eric, along with their family business, the Trump Organization. The lawsuit, initiated by New York Attorney General Tish James, accuses the former president of inflating his wealth on financial documents over many years, which were used to secure loans and deals with various financial institutions and insurers. The ruling comes after Ivanka Trump was previously dismissed as a defendant but later called upon to testify due to her continued ties to some businesses in New York and her ownership of Manhattan apartments.
Background
The civil fraud case has been ongoing for several weeks, with the defense denying all allegations and former President Donald Trump referring to the trial as a politically motivated “sham.” Tish James, a Democrat, is leading the lawsuit against the Trump family and their business, while Donald Trump, the current Republican 2024 presidential frontrunner, is expected to testify during the trial. In a recent development, the elder Trump briefly appeared on the witness stand to answer questions.
Legal Dispute Over Ivanka’s Testimony
The defense had argued that Ivanka Trump should not be compelled to testify, contending that she had moved out of New York and left her Trump Organization position in 2017. However, the state maintained that she had relevant information due to her previous role as the Trump Organization’s executive vice president. Judge Arthur Engoron ultimately sided with the state, stating that Ivanka Trump had conducted business in New York and still owned Manhattan apartments, making her eligible for testimony. Her testimony will be scheduled after November 1, allowing her legal team time to appeal.
Jurisdiction Dispute
Ivanka Trump’s lawyer, Bennet Moskowitz, had argued that state lawyers lacked jurisdiction over her, highlighting that claims against her had been dismissed as too old by a state appeals court in June. She had stepped away from her Trump Organization role in January 2017 and later served as an unpaid senior adviser in her father’s White House. After his presidency concluded, she relocated to Florida.
Conclusion
The decision to compel Ivanka Trump’s testimony in the civil fraud case against her father, brothers, and the Trump Organization adds a new dimension to the trial. While the defense sought to exclude her, the judge’s ruling underscores her continued connections to New York and the family business.
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