The New York investigation into the Trump organization has entered a new phase. A spokesman with New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office confirms the probe now includes a criminal element.
“We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature. We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA.”
In breaking the story, CNN wrote:
In an increasingly serious sign for former President Donald Trump, the attorney general’s office is working with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, whose wide-sweeping probe into the Trump Organization has looked into whether the company misled lenders and insurance companies about the value of properties and whether it paid the appropriate taxes. James’ notification to the organization brings a new level of potential legal risk to the former President, with the attorney general now able to seek criminal penalties as part of the probe.
Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen retweeted a tweet today that read, “Also key to remember: @MichaelCohen212 has sat down multiple times (8? 9? I lost count) with NY authorities. So his guidance through documents and deals could also be informing how both the AG and DA are evaluating the evidence here.”
On Wednesday, Donald Trump responded to this news in a lengthy, rambling statement on his website. Part it read:
There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime. But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here. The Attorney General of New York literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me.
The former president went on to say:
No President has been treated the way I have. With all of the crime and corruption you read about with others, nothing happens, they only go after Donald Trump. After prosecutorial efforts the likes of which nobody has ever seen before, they failed to stop me in Washington, so they turned it over to New York to do their dirty work. This is what I have been going through for years. It’s a very sad and dangerous tale for our Country, but it is what it is, and we will overcome together.
