A New York State judge on Wednesday ordered President Trump’s son, Eric, to answer questions before his election in an investigation into fraud in his family’s real estate business.
Last week, Eric Trump’s lawyers said he was preparing to be interviewed – but only after the presidential election because he did not want his position to be used for political purposes.
But on Wednesday, a state judge in Manhattan, Arthur F. Angoron, ruled that Mr. Trump must take office after Oct. 7. Judge Angoran said he found Mr. Trump’s arguments that the delay needed to be “useless.”
A civil investigation is under way into whether the attorney general, Letia James, President Trump and the Trump organization have been defrauded by raising assets to get loan and tax benefits.
Ms James’s office fee asked the judge to order her father’s business executive vice president, Eric Trump, to answer questions under oath, court papers show.
In July, Mr. Trump abruptly canceled a visit to the Attorney General’s office several days before it was scheduled, and in August the Trump organization told Office Fees that the company and its attorneys would not comply with the seven subpoenas related to the investigation.
Last week, Mr. Trump’s lawyers said in court papers that they are now preparing to be interviewed, but not after the November election. The filing states that he cited his “extreme travel schedule” and his determination to avoid using the presence of his representation for political purposes.
The call for Eric Trump to step down comes at a time when President Trump is facing legal action on other fronts. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has suggested in a court filing that it is investigating possible bank and insurance fraud by the president and the Trump organization and is fighting in federal court to get his tax return.
