Judge lambasts Ivanka Trump for 'inconsistent recall' in civil fraud case
Ivanka was initially listed as a defendant, but this was dropped in June 2023 due to a statute of limitations
February 18, 2024
New York Judge Arthur Engoron criticised Donald Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, in his ruling that ordered the former United States president to pay $354.9 million in damages on Friday after finding him liable for business fraud, Newsweek reported.
Engoron denounced Ivanka's "inconsistent recall" in the case involving her father, adult brothers — Donald Jr and Eric — and the Trump Organization.
Despite documentary evidence, she denied knowledge of key events.
Ivanka was initially listed as a defendant, but this was dropped in June 2023 due to a statute of limitations.
Aiming Ivanka, Engoron wrote: "She consistently denied recalling the contents of documentary evidence that confirmed that she actively participated in events, even after she was confronted with the evidence."
He later added: "The Court found her inconsistent recall, depending on whether she was questioned by OAG [New York attorney general's office] or the defence, suspect.
"In any event, what Ms Trump cannot recall is memorialised in contemporaneous emails and documents; in the absence of her memory, the documents speak for themselves."
Ivanka was asked about her recollection of negotiations involving the Old Post Office in Washington, DC, which Trump purchased and turned into a hotel.
She was also asked about her involvement in negotiations concerning the Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida, which her father had purchased.
Engoron found Donald Trump liable for business fraud in September 2023, claiming he lied about property value to secure better bank loans and tax agreements.
He now has to pay a $354.9 million fine to the state of New York in Friday's ruling.
Trump is also banned from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years, while his sons received $4 million fines and two-year business bans.
Engoron ordered an independent body to monitor the Trump Organization for three years but did not cancel its business licenses.
Referring to the defendant's behaviour in his 92-page judgment, Engoron wrote: "Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological."
Trump, the overwhelming favourite to secure the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, condemned the judgment in comments made from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
