The New York Supreme Court dismisses Trump’s appeal, clearing the way for testimony

NEW YORK – New York’s highest court rejected former President Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to avoid testifying in the attorney general’s civil investigation into his business practices on Tuesday, clearing the way for his testimony next month.

The state Court of Appeals said there was no “material constitutional issue” warranting its intervention in the matter after an interim appeals court won a subpoena for Trump’s testimony last month.

The court also denied a request by Trump’s attorneys to stay the subpoenas, saying it would be “academic” because it doesn’t address the former president’s appeal at all.

Trump and his two eldest children, Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., agreed last week to answer questions under oath beginning July 15 unless the appeals court decides to intervene.

A message was sent to Trump’s attorney for comment on Tuesday’s ruling. Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., declined to comment. A message was also left with a spokesman for Attorney General Letitia James.

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The state court’s Appellate Division ruled on May 26 that the Trumps must submit to depositions, upholding a lower court’s decision that James’ office had “the clear right” to testify against Trump and certain other figures in his firm, the Trump Organization to interview.

James said their three-year investigation uncovered evidence that the Trump Organization exaggerated the value of assets such as skyscrapers, golf courses and even his Manhattan penthouse in order to obtain credit, insurance and tax breaks for land donations.

A lawyer for her office told a judge last month that evidence could support legal action against the former president, his company, or both, although the lawyer said no decision had been made.

Trump has denounced the investigation as part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” against him.