“Utterly Meritless”: Appeals Court Rejects Ivanka Trump’s Attempt to Dodge Testifying in NY Fraud Trial

Amy LewisNov 9, 2023

Minute Read

The appeals court rejected Ivanka Trump’s claim that she should be spared from testifying during the middle of the week in her father Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York because she is a busy mother of school-age children in Florida.

“Will Suffer Undue Hardship if a Stay Is Denied”

The daughter of the former president, who served as a top advisor during his one-term administration, requested that the panel overturn a district court judge’s order requiring her to appear on Wednesday, November 8. Her attorneys stated in a court document on Thursday that Ms. Trump, who lives in Florida with her three young children, “will suffer undue hardship if a stay is denied and she is required to testify at trial in New York in the middle of a school week, in a case she has already been dismissed from, before her appeal is heard.”

The Appeals Court’s Response

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Additionally, they said that since Trump had not resided or employed in New York since 2017, he was beyond the purview of the Manhattan civil court. On Thursday night, however, the appeals court responded with a succinct, 11-word judgment. The justices ruled, “Application for interim stay pending decision on the motion is denied.”

Judge Engoron’s Emphasis on Trump’s Fiascoes

Consequently, Ivanka will be the third of the former president’s children to testify in the trial, where family members and other Trump Organization officials are denying any wrongdoing. But as he developed his real estate business, Donald Trump habitually and frequently misled banks, insurers, and other parties, according to the judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling.

Trump Family’s Illegal Exaggeration of Assets Brought to Light

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In their testimony on Thursday, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump denied knowing about the financial statements that are the focus of the $250 million lawsuit. Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, has claimed that the family unlawfully inflated the worth of their assets and properties to get advantageous agreements.

Trump Siblings Attempt to Wash Hands off of Scandal

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The siblings made an effort to disassociate themselves from the daily operations of the Trump Organization, stating that they were dependent on senior staff members and accountants. However, the attorney general’s office produced proof that the brothers had access to records indicating that they were aware of remarks that Engoron had already declared to include blatantly false appraisals.

Trump Fined Twice for Breaching Gag Order

It was anticipated that Eric Trump, who at times appeared confrontational and hostile throughout his testimony, will take the stand again on Friday. The trial, in which Donald Trump has been penalized twice by Engoron for violating a gag order by tweeting disparaging remarks about the judge’s staff, will take on a dramatic new dimension with the entrance of his sister.

Ivanka’s Refusal to Endorse Trump’s 2024 Nomination

Ivanka Trump has distanced herself from her father’s political ambitions since leaving the White House. She has done so most notably by refusing to publicly support her father’s bid for the Republican 2024 nomination, which he leads handily despite being the subject of 91 criminal charges and two well-publicized civil trials.

Ivanka’s Choice to Live a Life Away From the Headlines

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After her father lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Ivanka Trump went to Miami with her husband, Jared Kushner, another important member of the Trump White House. Early rumors indicated that she intended to pursue her political career, maybe campaigning for a Florida US Senate seat. However, she has chosen to live a very peaceful life away from the spotlight.

NY Attorney Gen Points at Scheme Run by Trump and Sons

The Trump brothers, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., seemed to be attempting to disassociate themselves from the financial statements that are the focus of the civil fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. James claims that Trump Sr., his adult sons, the Trump Organization, and others engaged in a ten-year plot to inflate his net worth to obtain favorable loan conditions and other financial benefits.

James Seeks $250 Million in Damages

James is requesting a prohibition on the defendants’ ability to operate any other company in New York in addition to damages of around $250 million. Earlier this year, an appeals court determined that the accusations made against Ivanka Trump were outside the statute of limitations, leading to her removal from the lawsuit as a party. Trump Jr., Eric, and his father continue to be co-defendants.

Ivanka’s Attorney Argues for Temporary Stay

Ivanka’s lawyer, Bennett Moskowitz, asked for a temporary delay while they challenged Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling that denied her plea to not take the witness stand. A few hours later, the decision was made to deny Ivanka’s appeal.

James Brands Ivanka’s Arguments “Utterly Meritless”

In a move to counter Ivanka’s plea, James referred to Trump’s claims as “utterly meritless.” Ivanka Trump, who once served as the Trump Organization’s executive vice president for development and acquisitions, “has firsthand knowledge of issues that are central to the ongoing trial,” James wrote.

“Trump’s Mere Need to Attend Trial for a Single Day to Testify Is Not a Serious Harm”

The attorney general also refuted the claim that Ivanka would suffer excessive hardship to make a required court appearance. “Ms. Trump’s mere need to attend trial for a single day to testify truthfully is not itself a serious harm that warrants emergency relief,” stated the AG.

Ivanka’s Husband’s Deep Pockets Pointed Out

After Moskowitz referred to Ms. Trump’s children’s school schedule in her testimony, numerous legal experts pointed out that the Kushner family had more than enough money to pay for extra childcare. This comment garnered notice on the internet. They also brought up the fact that Ivanka regularly traveled with her father, both domestically and abroad, throughout the Trump administration.