New York judge holds Donald Trump in contempt for failing to comply with subpoena for business documents

Former US President Donald Trump holds a rally sponsored by Save America with Ted Budd, Madison Cawthorn, Bo Hines, Dan Bishop, Mark Robinson and Greg Murphy in Selma, NC, on April 9, 2022.

A New York judge held Donald Trump in contempt of court on Monday for failing to comply with a subpoena for business documents.

If Trump fails to comply with the subpoena, he will have to pay $10,000 per day.

The contempt finding by the judge in the Manhattan Supreme Court courtroom came after a more than two-hour hearing in which lawyers for New York Attorney General Letitia James blasted Trump for dragging his feet in turning over the demanded documents.

James is investigating the Trump Organization over allegations that it manipulated the values of various real estate assets to get more favorable financial terms for loans and insurance coverage.

Mr. Trump, I know you take your business seriously, and I take mine seriously. I hereby hold you in civil contempt because Trump wasn't in the courtroom.

Trump has failed to turn over material sought by investigators.

Today, justice prevailed. No one is above the law, so our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization's financial dealings will continue.

The lawyer for Trump in the case did not respond to the request for comment.

Habba said that Trump did not deserve to be held in contempt because the Trump Organization was on schedule with turning over documents.

The probe by the Democrat James was called a political crusade by Habba.

On April 7th, James asked the court to hold Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a March 31 deadline for giving her investigators documents. The original deadline for the subpoena was extended by nearly a month.

James said that the judge's order was clear: Donald J. Trump must comply with the subpoena and turn over relevant documents.

Instead of obeying a court order, Mr. Trump is trying to evade it. We want the court to intervene because no one is above the law.

James was told by Trump's lawyers that he wouldn't be able to locate the documents in his possession. The attorneys argued that the Trump Organization has the documents.

Trump is appealing an order that he answer questions under oath.

Kevin Breuninger provides additional reporting.

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