Trump to return to New York City to be quizzed on fresh fraud lawsuit

11 April 2023 , 16:19

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Trump to return to New York City to be quizzed on fresh fraud lawsuit

Former US president Donald Trump is set to return to New York City for a deposition in a business fraud lawsuit which has been filed against him and his company by the state's attorney general, according to a person close to the issue.

Trump is expected to return to New York City from his Florida estate on Thursday, April 13, where he will face questioning regarding Attorney General Letitia James' fraud lawsuit in her Manhattan office.

Her investigation is separate from the recent indictment, which saw the businessman charged with 34 counts of felony fraud.

After flying to New York City to face indictment in the case, leveled against Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, he returned to his Mar-a-Lago estate where he spoke to supporters.

This latest questioning will mark his first return to New York City since his arraingment on charges relating to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to bury claims of affairs which Trump denied ever happening.

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Attorney General Letitia James (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

According to AP, the information has come from a person close to the case, who is not authorised to speak publicly about the matter - and only did so on condition of anonymity.

Last August, just weeks before Attorney General James filed the lawsuit, Trump sat for a deposition at her office. During that encounter, he reportedly declined to answer questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times.

Trump claimed he did so as he believed the investigation was part of a "politically motivated Witch Hunt", as he throws his hat into the ring to run for president once again.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate on April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla., after being arraigned earlier in the day in New York City (AP)

Attorney General James has been investigating the former president since she took office in January 2019. The Democrat's lawsuit alleges Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, misled banks and others, in part by providing them with annual financial statements which misstated the value of prized assets, including golf courses and hotels which bear his name.

She is seeking $250 and a ban on Republican Trump from doing business in the state.

Judge Arthur Engoron reportedly remains committed to a trial date of October 2, but has recently agreed to move some pretrial deadlines to allow lawyers more time to review evidence, interview witnesses and file motions - with Trump's deposition being part of that process.

Attorney General Letitia James speaking at a conference (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

A hearing has been scheduled by Judge Engoron for April 21 to resolve a dispute over the scheduling of a deposition for Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen.

Cohen found himself at the centre of the historic indictment against a former president, after it was alleged he had paid off porn star Stormy Daniels with hush money so she would not speak about an affair she claimed to have had with the then married Trump.

At a hearing on March 21, Judge Engoron said: "This case is complex, but it is not complicated. Essentially, it all boils down to whether [Trump's] statements of financial interest are true or false."