A New York judge ordered the Trump Organization’s lawyers to deliver documents without privileges to the state attorney general by February 4.
Friday’s order came as part of Attorney General Letitia James’ broader investigation into whether Trump illegally changed the value of his assets – a claim that emerged in 2019 from Michael Cohen, the former president’s confidant.
Before the order, the state Supreme Court reviewed the documents submitted by Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP.
“Morgan Lewis is required to submit to the petitioner, by February 4, 2021, all documents marked as ‘not privileged’ by this court in the register of privileges sent today under separate coverage for all parties,” read the order of Friday. judge Arthur Engoron’s fair.
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The court noted that it considered many of the communications not to be privileged, although Lewis, the Trump Organization’s lawyer, flagged them otherwise. These documents, the court said, “deal with business tasks and decisions, not exchanges by soliciting or providing legal advice.”
Friday’s order follows another from Engoron, granting James access to documents between the Trump Organization and Ralph Mastromanaco, an engineer he worked with.
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“Once again, justice and the rule of law prevailed,” said James at the time. “We will act immediately to ensure that the Trump Organization complies with the court order and submits the records related to our investigation. My office’s ongoing investigation will continue as we continue to follow the facts wherever they lead.”
James had also summoned Eric Trump, the son of the former president, and Engoron supported her in a September decision.
The Trump Organization had previously accused James of doing politics. “Although we have tried to cooperate in good faith with the investigation at every step, NYAG’s continued harassment of the company as we approach the election (and the presentation of this motion on the first day of the Republican National Convention) once again confirms that this investigation has everything to do with politics, “said a statement sent last year via email by Trump Organization legal director Alan Garten.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.