New York Attorney General Letitia James reported former President Donald Trump has paid the $110,000 fine he was ordered to pay to get out of contempt of a Manhattan court. Judge Arthur Engoron had declared the former president in contempt of court last month for not complying with a subpoena in James’ long-running investigation into his business practices.
With Engoron’s declaration came a daily fine of $10,000. Earlier this month, Engoron agreed to lift the contempt order if Trump paid the fine and submitted affidavits detailing efforts to search for the subpoenaed records and explaining his and his company’s document retention policies.
Engoron also required a company hired by Trump to aid in the search, HaystackID, finish going through 17 boxes kept in off-site storage and for that company to report its findings and turn over any relevant documents. That process was completed Thursday, according to James’ office. However, the office also said Trump must still submit additional paperwork in order to have the contempt order lifted.
James has said her three-year investigation uncovered evidence that Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, misstated the value of assets like skyscrapers and golf courses on financial statements for over a decade. Last week, a lawyer for James’ office said evidence found in the probe could support legal action against the former president, his company, or both.
“There’s clearly been a substantial amount of evidence amassed that could support the filing of an enforcement proceeding,” Andrew Amer said. A final determination on filing such an action has not been made.
Trump has denied James’ allegations, calling her investigation “racist” and a politically motivated “witch hunt.” Trump’s lawyers have also accused her of selective prosecution. Trump is suing James in federal court, seeking to shut down her probe.
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