The investigation is one of a number of legal threats to the former president but as a civil matter it could result only in financial penalties. Photograph: Joe Maiorana/APDonald Trump and his children Donald Trump jnr and Ivanka Trump have been ordered to testify in a New York state civil investigation of their business affairs.
The other three Trumps have fought subpoenas for testimony, part of a refusal to co-operate that led to an accumulating fine for contempt. A New York state judge capped the sum at $110,000. It was paid. In a January court filing, James said it was suspected that misleading financial statements were filed about properties including 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, Trump’s penthouse apartment in Trump Tower and golf courses in New York and Scotland.
Rejecting arguments pursued by Trump lawyers, the order said the existence of a criminal investigation into Trump’s business affairs – out of New York City, an effort which has recently lost steam – did not preclude testimony in the civil case.