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Days after the death of his former wife Ivana Trump, ex-president Donald Trump and the couple's children are expected to testify in a civil investigation into his business practices.
A court-ordered agreement on June 8 had called for Trump, his daughter Ivanka and son Donald Jr. to appear on Friday as part of the probe into the Trump Organization conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Instead, the Trump family members will be questioned under oath next week in depositions that will not be conducted in public, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Trump's lawyer has indicated that he would invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination and refuse to answer questions. It is not clear what day the hearing would take place.
In January, James said that the probe had found evidence that the Trump Organization, which manages real estate holdings including golf courses and hotels, had exaggerated the values of assets to get favorable loan deals and understated the values to get tax breaks.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigation by James, a Democrat, politically motivated.
But it adds to his legal woes and comes during the January 6 committee hearings into the riot at the U.S. Capitol carried out by his supporters in a bid to overturn the 2020 election.
The Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, are expected to go on trial later this year on tax fraud charges following a parallel investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office.
If James wins the case she has been investigating for three years, she could seek an order winding up the Trump Organization.
Next week's hearing would come soon after the former president's 73-year-old ex-wife, Ivana, was found dead at her New York City home on Thursday afternoon, following a report of cardiac arrest. A senior New York City official told NBC News that she was found on the spiral staircase of her apartment by authorities when they arrived.
Daughter Ivanka Trump tweeted that she was "heartbroken" at the news, adding, "I will miss her forever and will keep her memory alive in our hearts always."
In a statement posted to his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump called his former wife "a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life"
A joint statement from all three of the couple's children posted by Eric Trump said she was "an incredible woman—a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend."
Donald and Ivana Trump divorced in 1992 after 15 years of marriage. They were reportedly on good terms in recent years.
Newsweek reached out to James' office and the Trump Organization for comment.
About the writer
Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more