A Manhattan judge on Thursday ordered a monitor to oversee business practices of the Trump Organization “to ensure there is no further fraud” amid a sweeping lawsuit against the family real estate business.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron made the ruling in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ suit against Donald Trump, his children Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization that alleges “staggering” fraud in the company.
Lawyers from James’ office asked Engoron to appoint a monitor as Trump’s camp turns over financial information in the case; the monitor would be in place until the suit’s conclusion.
In granting the request, Engoron found there were “persistent misrepresentations” for a decade in the company’s statements on its financial condition.
“This court finds that the appointment of an independent monitor is the most prudent … to ensure there is no further fraud or illegality,” Engoron’s decision reads.
Engoron pointed out the difference between a monitor, which acts as an overseer, and a receiver, whose role is to control. The judge also knocked down as “entirely without merit” the Trump camp’s claims a monitor is akin to “nationalization” of the company.
The monitor will make sure Trump’s side follows the judge’s order to turn over relevant financial information about company’s assets and will be paid for by Trump’s camp, Engoron ruled.
Trump’s side also can’t sell or transfer any of it’s properties without first giving the AG two weeks notice.
During oral arguments, Trump lawyer Chris Kise accused the AG’s office of making the motion for political reasons since “we’re a few days out from an election.”
James is running for reelection in Tuesday’s vote.
“In a major victory, a judge has ruled in our favor and ordered Donald Trump and the Trump Organization to immediately stop engaging in fraudulent business practices,” she said in a statement. “Time and time again, the courts have ruled that Donald Trump cannot evade the law for personal gain.”
After a three-year investigation, James’ office brought the $250 million suit against the 45th president, claiming he and his company fraudulently inflated the value of his assets to gain an advantage for loan, insurance and tax purposes.
In a statement, Trump said Engoron is “a puppet judge of the New York Attorney General and other sworn enemies of President Trump and the Republican Party.”
“It is Communism come to our shores,” the statement declared.
“Today’s decision sets a dangerous precedent for government interference in private enterprise and is an obvious attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming election,” a Trump Organization spokesperson said in a separate statement.
Also, Trump’s lawyer Chris Kise said the “New York Attorney General has stretched the bounds of her authority to set a very dangerous precedent.”