A New York judge has ordered Ivanka Trump to take the witness stand and testify in Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million civil fraud trial against Donald Trump, his two adult sons, and the family business.
“Ms. Trump has clearly availed herself of the privilege of doing business in New York,” New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron said, The Associated Press reports.
But attorneys for the former First Daughter claim she is under no obligation to testify.
“At the end of the day, your honor, they just don’t have jurisdiction over her,” attorney Bennet Moskowitz told the court.
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“After Ivanka Trump was dismissed from the case months ago, lawyers for her and the defense contended that she shouldn’t have to take the stand, noting that she moved out of New York and stepped away from her Trump Organization job in 2017,” the AP adds.
But “Judge Arthur Engoron sided with the state, citing documents showing that Ivanka Trump has ownership or management ties to some businesses in New York and still owns Manhattan apartments.”
“A trial is a search for the truth,” Judge Engoron said, The Messenger reports, “adding that the public has the right to ‘every person’s evidence.'”
Judge Engoron ordered Ivanka Trump does not have to testify until at least November 1, to allow her time to appeal.
Image: Official White House Photo by Joyce N Boghosian