Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters), Donald Trump appealed Monday a judge’s decision that he must answer questions under oath during a civil probe conducted by New York’s lawyer general into Trump’s business practices.

This appeal was anticipated to delay Attorney General Letitia Jam from getting testimony from Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump for possibly months.

Justice Arthur Engoron, a Manhattan state court judge had stated that James has a right to be questioned by her in her investigation into Trump Organization. This was after she had received “copious evidence” of financial fraud.

Trumps claim that testifying in violation of their constitutional rights was because they could use their words in a criminal investigation led by Alvin Bragg (the Manhattan District Attorney), which James joined last year.

Donald Trump (a Republican) has accused James of selectively pursuing him as he is considered a political opponent. Bragg and James are both Democrats.

Monday’s appeal asked a state appeals court for consideration of both these questions and whether Trumps’ grand jury protections could “easily avoid, indeed, be eviscerated by James’ probe.

James responded by repeating its Friday statement on Trump’s planned appeal.

It stated that while they can seek delays, they are not allowed to stop us following the facts and law wherever it may take us. It said, “No one is above law.”

Engoron had ordered the Trumps’ testimony within three weeks of Engoron’s decision.

Trump made a statement condemning it at the time as “a continuation to the greatest Witch Hunt of history–and, remember, New York is hostile towards me because I am deemed unfit for a fair hearing.” It’s impossible!”

James has been investigating the Trump Organization’s valuation of its real property for almost three years. This is to determine if it was unfairly valued in order to receive better loans and lower tax rates.

Trumps are not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

The Appeals Court can issue rulings in a matter of months, but they are able to expedite matters where both sides feel it is urgent.