Trump hints at testifying in New York to probe business practices

Former US President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower a day after FBI agents raided his home in Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, New York City, USA, August 9, 2022. REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado

(Reuters) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would testify before the New York Attorney General’s investigation into his family’s business practices.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is conducting a civil investigation into whether the Trump Organization inflated real estate values. Trump and his two adult children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, agreed to testify.

Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing and said the New York investigation was politically motivated. James is a Democrat.

“Tonight in New York City. Meet the racist NYS Attorney General to continue the greatest witch hunt in US history! My great company and I are being attacked from all sides. Banana Republic!” Trump said in a post. on his Truth Social platform late Tuesday.

James has provided significant evidence that the Trump Organization, which manages hotels, golf courses and other real estate, overvalued properties in order to obtain favorable loans and undervalued them in order to receive tax breaks. He said he found out in an investigation.

Separately, this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Trump’s Florida estate to determine whether the former president illegally removed records from the White House when he left office in January 2021. , indicating that the federal investigation has escalated significantly.read more

Trump has publicly said he would run for president again in 2024, but has not said if he will do so.

The search warrant for Trump’s Florida estate involved the National Archives and Records Administration, which is charged with protecting presidential records belonging to the public and whether there were classified documents at Trump’s Mara Lago resort in Palm Beach. Florida, according to a person familiar with the matter.read more

Several investigations have surfaced since he resigned weeks after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and failed to bid to overturn his election loss. Focused on Trump. Trump continues to make false claims that the election was stolen through widespread voter fraud.read more

Trump remains the most influential voice in the Republican Party, and observers say the FBI’s raid could strengthen his position with Republican voters.

Reported by Kanishka Singh, Washington.Editing by Robert Barthel

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