Former President Donald Trump (76) must hand over his tax papers. That has been determined by the Supreme Court. For Trump, this decision is a bitter defeat. This is Trump’s first debacle, which went public on Tuesday.
But on the same day, Trump suffered another setback. The New York civil trial against him and his three eldest children is scheduled. They are accused of alleged financial fraud. It will start in October next year.
The civil case will be heard in October
Manhattan Superior Court Judge Arthur Engoron set Tuesday, October 2, 2023 as the hearing date. Trump’s lawyers will most likely try to delay the start of the trial even further.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against Trump and his three oldest children in September over allegations of massive financial fraud. For years, the family holding company Trump Organization is said to have misled the tax authorities, banks and insurance companies about the true state of their finances in order to gain financial advantage.
Tax documents must be released
The publication of his tax documents could also harm Trump. The US Supreme Court has cleared the way. The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request from Trump’s lawyers to stop sending the tax documents.
The Republican had resisted the publication of the documents through legal means for years and ultimately failed at the highest level.
Contrary to common practice in the United States, real estate entrepreneur Trump did not make his tax returns public, either as a presidential candidate or after taking office in the White House. Critics therefore suspect that he has something to hide. (SDA/euc)