Light Wave

U.S. News

Ivanka Trump must testify in fraud case against her father, judge rules

By Jake Beardslee · October 27, 2023

In brief…

  • Ivanka Trump ordered to testify in fraud trial against Donald Trump and Trump Organization
  • She was initially a defendant but dismissed on statute of limitations grounds
  • Judge ruled she can still be subpoenaed based on her business ties in NY
  • Her lawyers argued she shouldn't have to testify since she's not a defendant
Ivanka Trump must testify in the fraud trial against her father Donald Trump and the Trump Organization despite not being a defendant herself.  The White House / Wikimedia

A New York judge ruled Friday that Ivanka Trump must comply with a subpoena to testify in the fraud trial against her father, former President Donald Trump, and his company.

Ivanka Trump was initially named as a defendant in the case, which accuses the former president, his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and Trump Organization executives of misrepresenting the value of assets. However, an appeals court dismissed Ivanka Trump from the lawsuit last year because the claims against her fell outside the statute of limitations.

Her attorneys argued she should not have to testify because she is no longer part of the case and does not live in New York. But Judge Arthur Engoron rejected that claim, ruling that although Ivanka Trump is not a defendant, she can still be subpoenaed in New York since she has conducted business and owns property there.

The New York attorney general’s office contends that even though she left the Trump Organization, Ivanka Trump “remains financially and professionally intertwined” with the company and has “personal knowledge of facts relevant to the claims.”

Her father’s attorney argued Friday that “Anyone who has raised a daughter past the age of 13 knows they are not under their control,” but Engoron was unswayed.

“A trial is a search for the truth, and the law is entitled to every person’s evidence,” the judge said.

The fraud trial accuses Donald Trump, his sons, and Trump Organization executives of misrepresenting asset values. Ivanka Trump’s testimony could shed light on the inner workings of the family business.