Eric Trump and Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg invoked the 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 500 times during a deposition with the New York Attorney General's office.
A Tuesday court filing, in which New York Attorney General Letitia James accused the Trump family business of enaging in “fraudulent or misleading” practices by misrepresenting the value of its assets, noted Eric Trump:
"invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to more than 500 questions over six hours."
The filing pointed out Weisselberg similarly "invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to more than 500 questions over five-and-a-half hours.”
In her filing, James argued the Trump Organization "has used delay tactics and litigation in an attempt to thwart a legitimate investigation into its financial dealings" for the last two years and seeks a court order that would enforce testimonial subpoenas issued to former President Donald Trump, and two of his children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.
James' filing marks the first time her office has leveled specific accusations against the Trumps, highlighting details the family's assets were “generally inflated as part of a pattern to suggest that Mr. Trump’s net worth was higher than it otherwise would have appeared" to lenders, insurers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The news Eric Trump had declined to answer questions from investigators comes after he has repeatedly maligned the investigation and accused James of prosecutorial misconduct.
His behavior also runs counter to a claim made by his own father.
Then-candidate Donald Trump during a campaign stop in 2016 once infamously declared only "the mob takes the Fifth," asking the crowd:
“If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”
And for many others besides his father, that suggests Eric Trump is guilty.
The October 5 deposition came just weeks after Eric Trump's attorney, Marc Mukasey of Mukasey Frenchman LLP, told a state Supreme Court judge in Manhattan he was withdrawing from the case on September 14. The court filing stated Eric Trump would continue to be represented by co-counsel criminal defense attorney Alan Futerfas.
Eric Trump drew heavy criticism for threatening to prosecute James over her office's investigation, having earlier maligned her as the "most unethical prosecutor in the history of the United States" and accusing her of orchestrating a political smear campaign against his father.
Weisselberg, who had also declined to answer questions, was indicted in a separate case involving the Trump Organization.
Last year, he surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney's office in New York City and was charged with 15 felony counts for evading $1.76 million in taxes over 15 years.
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