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- The New York State Attorney General’s Office has confirmed its investigation into the Trump Organisation has turned from a civil probe into a criminal inquiry
- Letitia James is leading an inquiry into whether Trump’s company falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits
- Separately Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Cyrus Vance has also been investigating Trump’s business affairs for more than two years
- Vance’s inquiry began after it was revealed that Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid hush money to silence two women prior to the 2016 election
The New York State Attorney General’s office has confirmed its investigation into the Trump Organisation is now a criminal probe.
Attorney General Letitia James has been leading a civil inquiry into whether Trump’s company falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.
That probe has now turned into a criminal investigation, according to an official within her office.
“We have informed the Trump Organisation that our investigation into the organisation is no longer purely civil in nature,” DA spokesman Fabien Levy said in a statement.
“We are now actively investigating the Trump Organisation in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA,” the spokesman added.
The Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Cyrus Vance has been running a separate investigation of former U.S. leader Donald Trump’s pre-presidency business affairs for more than two years.
In court filings, Vance’s office said it was investigating “possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct” at the Trump Organisation — a group of about 500 business entities of which Trump is the sole or principal owner — including tax and insurance fraud, and falsification of business records.
Vance’s inquiry began after it was revealed that Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid hush money to silence two women prior to the 2016 election who said they had sexual encounters with the former leader.
That probe has ramped-up significantly since Trump lost his bid for a second term, diminishing his previous legal protection as the President of the United States.
