A state appeals court has dismissed a $250 million lawsuit against Ivanka Trump by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuit alleges business fraud during Ivanka Trump’s time at the Trump Organization.
The appellate panel, comprised of five judges, concluded that the allegations put forth by AG James against the daughter of the former president were beyond the state’s statute of limitations. Furthermore, the panel stated that the recent allegations of fraud occurred after Ivanka had moved from the family enterprise to a role in her father’s presidential administration.
According to the court’s ruling, the allegations against Ivanka did not justify any claims beyond February 6, 2016, and therefore, should have been rejected. The court further elaborated that AG James could not move forward with claims that occurred before July 13, 2014, or after February 6, 2016.
The lawsuit, which was initiated in September 2022, named the Trump Organization, former President Donald Trump, and three of his children, Ivanka, Donald Jr, and Eric, as defendants. The suit claimed that they duped banks, insurance companies, and other institutions about the worth of Trump’s assets, including golf courses and Mar-a-Lago. The Attorney General demanded $250 million in damages and a ban on the Trump family doing business in New York.
Although the lawsuit against the remaining defendants will continue, the court hinted that the case might be further constrained.
A spokesperson for the Trump family praised the court’s decision as the first step towards ending a case that, according to them, should not have been initiated.
Responding to the ruling, James’ office claimed to have significant evidence indicating fraudulent valuation and misrepresentation of assets by Trump and the Trump Organization. They pledged to hold the former president accountable for the alleged fraud.
The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the case as politically motivated. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 2.
