Former President Donald Trump is expected to appear before the New York Attorney General’s office on Thursday to testify for the second time in the legal battle over his company’s business practices.
The former Republican president was scheduled to meet New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed a lawsuit against Trump last year, alleging that Trump and his family misled banks and business partners by providing false information about his net worth and the value of assets he owned such as hotels and golf courses.
The lawsuit is unrelated to the criminal charges brought by the Manhattan attorney general against Trump, the first against a president or former president.
Trump and his lawyers have said the lawsuit, brought by the Democratic attorney general, is politically motivated and without legal basis, and he and the company have denied any wrongdoing.
In contrast, James refused to answer a question about Trump’s testimony at a press conference on another issue, Wednesday.
Trump previously met with James’ attorney on Aug. 10, but he refused to answer all but some procedural questions, citing his Fifth Amendment protections.
“Anyone in my position who doesn’t embrace the Fifth Amendment would be an idiot, a real idiot,” he said in the hearing, which was later recorded and released.
Trump expected the “rogue” prosecutor to seek a criminal case from his answers, if he provided them.
He added: “One phrase or one answer that is slightly wrong, or a very slight mistake, whether by chance or by mistake, such as that it was a beautiful sunny day, at a time when it was a bit cloudy, law enforcement authorities will exploit it in a way that we seldom see.” In this country, because I experienced it.”
The court is scheduled to hear the case in October.