House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik on Monday called for New York Attorney General Letitia James to be fired or suspended for her “biased investigation” of former President Donald Trump and his business dealings.
New York lawmakers slammed James for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct by “attacking PresidentTrump through statements outside the law” during the hearing.
“In just the first five weeks of the trial that began in October 2023 — before I stopped counting — Ms. James made over 50 grossly inappropriate and prejudicial comments on social media,” Stefanik wrote in a complaint filed with the New York Committee on Professional Standards.
“This complaint respectfully requests that the Attorney Grievance Committee conduct an investigation and issue an immediate temporary suspension, disbar Ms. James as attorney and legal counsel, or suspend Ms. James.”
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron is now weighing whether to fine the 77-year-old former commander-in-chief $370 million in the fraud case, after finding Trump liable on one of the main claims he faces.
James said Trump inflated the net worth of his real estate empire by billions to get better loans and insurance terms.
His final decision on the Trump Organization’s business dealings is expected this week.
Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a bar complaint against New York AG Letitia James, accusing her of conducting a “biased investigation” into former President Donald Trump’s alleged business fraud. AP
His final decision on the Trump Organization’s business dealings is expected later this month.
The extrajudicial remarks James allegedly made against X during the trial included accusations of illegal conductcomment affect the credibility of the witness and personal attack — thus violating rules on trial publicity, Stefanik argued.
“Indeed, Ms. James’s conduct supports the persuasive conclusion that she is on purpose intended to influence the outcome of the matter by creating a powerful media narrative before assessing the defendant’s liability,” the complaint said.
“Ms. James’ extrajudicial statements may influence the judge or appellate judge who hears the comments. These comments may also affect the public’s perception of the judgment and the outcome of appeals reviewing the judgment, such as by making the public more receptive to an illegal judgment against President Trump, his family and his business.”
Stefanik alleges James violated the Rules of Professional Conduct “through unlawful statements at trial,” in a complaint filed with the NY Committee on Professional Standards. Paul Martinka
The attorney general’s “extremely partisan hostility” toward Trump dates back to the president’s first year in office, the complaint notes, when James, who had not yet been elected to statewide office, led “die in” protests because “we are all being killed by this administration.”
When running for office in 2018, she further promised to investigate Trump’s real estate empire, accusing him of money laundering and labeling him a “con man” and a “carnival carpenter.”
The remarks led to rebukes from former federal prosecutors, including former Virginia US attorney Chuck Rosenberg and former Manhattan assistant US attorney Dan Goldman. Rosenberg also urged James to withdraw.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron is currently weighing whether to fine Trump $370 million in a civil fraud case. AFP via Getty Images
Stefanik’s complaint also cites James’ partnership with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to bring business fraud charges against Trump for making “hush-hush” payments through his fix to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The payment was allegedly made to keep him quiet about the affair a decade before the 2016 election.
The complaint, first reported by NBC News, added that attorneys general are “held to a higher standard because of their unique role as officers of the court” and that James’ behavior “not only violated his professional responsibilities but also risked irreparable harm to public trust that has been eroded in our legal institutions.”
The Attorney General’s Grievance Committee has obtained temporary suspensions in recent years, with former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani losing his law license in 2021 over alleged election interference regarding the 2020 presidential election.
“Just in the first five weeks of the trial that began in October 2023 — before I stopped counting — Ms. James made over 50 grossly inappropriate and prejudicial comments on social media,” Stefanik wrote in the complaint. Paul Martinka
Trump shared Stefanik’s complaint on his Truth Social account.
Trump’s earlier motion to toss the case as politically motivated was denied by Engoron and upheld by the appeals court.
The real estate tycoon has taken almost every opportunity in court and on his social media platforms to personally attack James, Engoron and the case repeatedly.
And Trump’s criticism of Engoron’s law clerk earned him a gag order, which was upheld by the New York Court of Appeals.
The House GOP conference chair also filed preliminary ethics complaints against Engoron and Washington, DC, US District Judge Beryl Howell, who is overseeing Trump’s 2020 election meddling case.
James’ office declined to comment Tuesday.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
