Former US President, Donald Trump has appealed a judge’s civil contempt order imposing a $10,000 daily fine for failing to comply with a subpoena from the New York attorney general for records tied to an investigation into the Trump Organization’s finances.
On Tuesday, April 26, Judge Arthur Engoron issued a written order holding Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a December subpoena asking he release the Trump organization’s financial statements, and asking he pays $10,000 per day fine for every day he refuses to release the documents.
New York Attorney General, Letitia James’ office has been probing the Trump Organization to find out whether it defrauded borrowers, lenders and tax authorities who relied upon the company’s financial statements.
The office asked Engoron to hold Trump in contempt for failing to comply with a December subpoena. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, said that they had searched and found no documents to provide investigators other than the 10 previously turned over by the Trump Organization.
In the written order on Tuesday April 26, Engoron wrote that Trump “willfully disobeyed” his prior order to comply with the subpoena for documents, and said that the former President’s failure to comply harmed the civil investigation being conducted by James.
On Wednesday, the Trump organization appealed the ruling meaning he may not have to make payments on the fine until it is resolved.
The attorney general’s office criticized Trump’s Wednesday appeal.
“The judge’s order was clear: Donald J. Trump is in contempt of court and must pay $10,000 a day until he complies with our subpoenas,” James said in a statement.
“We’ve seen this playbook before, and it has never stopped our investigation of Mr. Trump and his organization. This time is no different.”