Tick tock tick tock...
Earlier today, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ruled in favor of New York State Attorney General Letitia James that the Malignant Loser, and his offspring Donald Jr. and Ivanka must give testimony in James' investigation into alleged financial fraud by the Trump Organization. The judge ordered that the three Trumps must sit for a sworn deposition within 21 days. From the AP report:
"Engoron issued the ruling after a two-hour hearing with lawyers for the Trumps and James’ office.
'In the final analysis, a State Attorney General commences investigating a business entity, uncovers copious evidence of possible financial fraud, and wants to question, under oath, several of the entities’ principals, including its namesake. She has the clear right to do so.' Engoron wrote in his decision."
Trump's lawyers had argued that having him deposed in a civil case at the same time the Manhattan DA is pursuing a criminal case against him was "an improper attempt to get around a state law barring prosecutors from calling someone to testify before a criminal grand jury without giving them immunity," according to the AP report. The grand jury in the Manhattan DA's criminal case can consider the Trumps' likely pleading the Fifth Amendment as evidence of guilt.
Trump and his offspring had wanted immunity from any crime that they disclosed, but were denied. They are expected to appeal the judge's ruling using the same weak argument, putting their day in court as far into the future as possible. But it's certain that at some point, with the evidence mounting against them, they will be deposed.
