Those accused of fraud with Trump 2:23
(CNN) ––
Donald Trump does not like to be loyal to anyone, with one big exception.
When it comes to his immediate family, especially his adult children, Trump is unusually loyal, displaying a fatherly pride and protectiveness that he shows no one else in life.
New York Attorney General files lawsuit against Trump and several of his children for fraud
"I have many good relationships," the former president has said.
"I also have good enemies, which is fine. But I think more about my family than others."
In all of his endeavors -- from his real estate deal to his
reality TV
empire to his White House administration -- Trump has installed his children as his deputies.
A clear sign that he really only trusts people with whom he is related by blood.
Consider that fact in light of news Wednesday that New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against Trump and his three eldest children: Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
James points them out for violating multiple state laws for insurance fraud, falsifying business records, and false financial statements.
"These acts of fraud and misrepresentation were similar in nature, committed by senior management of the Trump Organization as part of a common effort for each annual statement, and approved at the highest levels of the Trump Organization, including Mr. Trump himself." , maintains the demand.
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Who is Letitia James, the New York attorney general who filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump
Alina Habba, Trump's attorney, called the lawsuit an "uncontrolled abuse of authority."
Precisely what Trump and his allies are saying about just about everything: from Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election to the impeachment trial he faced for his dealings with Ukraine and his role in the January 6, 2021 at the United States Capitol.
Trump has used similar language to dismiss the convictions of those in his orbit and, at times, in his inner circle.
In commuting the prison sentence of Roger Stone, once a staunch Trump ally, the then president criticized "overzealous prosecutors" who used "witch hunts" and "Russia fraud" to initially convict Trump. Stone for seven felonies.
When he pardoned his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Trump criticized what he believed was "prosecutorial misconduct."
Exclusive: New Book Reveals Trump's Business Practices Once Included Payment With Gold Bullion
Now, even despite that earlier generous rhetoric, this lawsuit will affect Trump differently.
It is not that his former CFO Allen Weisselberg has pleaded guilty to a tax fraud scheme that spanned 15 years.
It is that those who bear his very flesh and blood face the daunting prospect of having to defend themselves against a robust civil lawsuit that makes important claims.
Among them, that Trump valued his Mar-a-Lago property at $739 million when he should have done it closer to $75 million (among many other things).
Former Trump Organization CFO Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Agrees to Testify Against Company
That makes the threat to Trump unlike anything he has faced before.
In previous occasions, there was always a scapegoat who could be sacrificed as the one who made the mistakes and maintain the notion that the family, the true inner circle, was not aware of what was really going on.
That's going to be very difficult to do with this case.
Because many of the people involved here from his family.
Why did the New York prosecutor sue Trump and his children?
6:12
All of which makes this an exceptionally unique time for Trump to feel cornered.
And when he's cornered, he rages.
Much.
Check out this post he made on Truth Social in the wake of James' announcement.
"Another witch hunt by a racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who failed to run for Governor and garnered almost no public support," Trump wrote.
"She is a fraud who campaigned on a 'get Trump' platform."
Wait a lot more where that came from.
LawsuitDonald TrumpNew York
