The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James announced last night that the state is now investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity and not just for civil violations:
NEW: The @NewYorkStateAG investigation into the Trump Organization is “no longer purely civil.”
“We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA,” a spokesman told CNN. pic.twitter.com/Ctck7VrYc0
— Sonia Moghe (@soniamoghe) May 19, 2021
The state will be working with the Manhattan DA’s office on the investigation:
Another significant point: NY AG is working in cooperation with NY DA. They must be bringing something to the table with respect to the Trump Organization b/c normally the NY DA goes its own (criminal) way. And the offices have different styles.
— Harry Litman (@harrylitman) May 19, 2021
There are questions on what this actually means, however:
That last part — “along with the Manhattan DA” — is key. Are they combining forces or is it still a separate investigation? NY AG generally needs cooperation from at least one prosecutor’s office to bring criminal cases. Very important that they work together, not in parallel. https://t.co/XE52t3nmSP
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) May 19, 2021
The WSJ notes that the NY AG “has limited capacity to investigate crimes”:
The New York attorney general has limited capacity to investigate crimes. Its criminal investigatory authority extends to the sale of securities, labor-law violations and Medicaid fraud, among other matters. It can also be asked to investigate crimes by the head of several New York state agencies, including the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
But whatever is going on, “this ups the pressure dramatically on Trump”:
Criminal cases require proof of intent. If NY AG Tish James is ready to convert her civil case against Trump into a criminal prosecution she must have convincing evidence of intent. This ups the pressure dramatically on Trump, Weisselberg and the entire Trump Org.
— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) May 19, 2021
Libs, as you might imagine, are positively giddy at the news:
Breaking: MSNBC confirms @NewYorkStateAG is "now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity," as previously reported by CNN. pic.twitter.com/BtHqlLbVtt
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) May 19, 2021
And here’s former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s reaction:
As more documents are reviewed by the #NYAG and #NYDA, it appears that the troubles for Donald #Trump will keep on coming! Soon enough, Donald and Associates will be held responsible for their actions. pic.twitter.com/nOvd7Dry81
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) May 19, 2021
Trump’s lawyers did not immediately comment on the story:
The New York attorney general’s office says it is conducting a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump’s business empire, expanding what had previously been a civil probe. A Trump lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment. https://t.co/GeT1KiJVid
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 19, 2021
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