Donald Trump Held in Contempt by New York Judge

Former US President Donald Trump

A New York judge has held Donald Trump in contempt over the former president’s failure to supply documents to prosecutors investigating his business practices.

Trump has been fined $10,000 per day by New York state supreme court judge Arthur Engoron.

New York state attorney general Letitia James had called for the contempt finding, stating that Trump had failed to comply with a subpoena requiring him to hand over documents and information.

James has been investigating the Trump Organization over allegations it inflated the values of its real estate properties in order to obtain favorable loans and tax deductions. She has said that investigators have found “significant evidence” of wrongdoing.

In a court filing earlier this month, the New York attorney general had ruled that Trump failed to abide by his obligations to furnish James with documents and information by March 31st. Today Judge Engoron agreed with James’ position and held Trump in contempt of court.

“Mr Trump, I know you take your business seriously, and I take mine seriously. I hereby hold you in civil contempt and fine you $10,000 a day,” Engoron said during the hearing.

Trump’s attorneys had claimed that they had attempted to comply with the subpoena, but had found that Trump was “not in possession of any of the requested documents” following a “diligent search”.

James said previously that her investigation had found evidence suggesting that the Trump Organization had “relied on misleading asset valuations and other misrepresentations to secure economic benefits”, stating that such activities had continued for more than a decade. It is unclear at present whether the evidence gather passes the threshold for criminal liability.