By Karen Freifeld
(Reuters) – Former President Donald Trump’s testimony in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into his business practices will not take place as scheduled in light of his ex-wife Ivana’s death, the attorney general’s office said on Friday.
Nor will Trump’s daughter Ivanka, and son Donald Jr. be questioned under oath as planned, the office said in a statement. The attorney general’s office said it had received a request from counsel for the Trumps to adjourn the depositions in light of Ivanka and Donald Jr.’s mother passing.
A June 8 court-ordered agreement had called for all three to appear for testimony between July 15 and 22, and Reuters reported that the depositions, which will not be conducted in public, had been set for next week.
The Trumps had sought for months to avoid being questioned in the probe.
“This is a temporary delay and the depositions will be rescheduled as soon as possible,” the New York attorney general’s statement said.
In January, New York Attorney General Letitia James said her investigation had uncovered significant evidence the Trump Organization, which manages hotels, golf courses and other real estate, overstated asset values to obtain favorable loans and understated the values to get tax breaks.
A lawyer for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a lawyer for Trump’s adult children declined comment.
A Republican, Trump has denied wrongdoing, and called the investigation politically motivated. James is a Democrat.
(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
