Trump Organization assets should be frozen, New York attorney general asks court

The allegations are the latest new installment in Trump’s growing web of legal troubles, stretching nationwide as he tangles with lawsuits and investigations related to classified presidential documents in Florida, the ramifications of the riots of January 6 in Washington and the repercussions of his refusal of election in several states. It also sparks a long-running battle between New York’s top lawyer and the ex-president.

In new court documents, James says Trump incorporated a new ‘Trump Organization LLC’ in Delaware on September 15, then registered the company with New York as ‘Trump Organization II LLC’ on the day his trial was filed on September 21.

James’ lawsuit seeks monetary penalties of up to $250 million and an order blocking Trump from New York real estate transactions for five years – moves that could doom his crumbling empire. But she now says her lawyers won’t assure her that Trump won’t move assets out of state ahead of time.

His attorneys did not immediately comment.

James wants the court to prohibit the Trump Organization from transferring material assets to anyone not a party to his lawsuit, or otherwise disposing of property without the court’s blessing.

She also wants an independent auditor to oversee the company’s next financial statements for 2022 and make sure it doesn’t use the same accounting tricks alleged in her complaint last month. For example, James argued that Trump continues to count $93 million held in a Vornado partnership as his own money, even though he shouldn’t.

James is asking for a trial date in October 2023.