New York attorney general asks judge to sanction Trump, his company in $250M lawsuit

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, United States (AA) - The attorney general in the US state of New York on Tuesday asked a judge to sanction former President Donald Trump and his company after taking issue to their legal responses to a $250 million lawsuit filed against them last year.

"Defendants falsely deny facts they have admitted in other proceedings, they deny knowledge sufficient to respond to factual allegations that are plainly within their knowledge, and they propound affirmative defenses that have been repeatedly rejected by this Court as frivolous and without merit," said Kevin Wallace, attorney for New York Attorney General Letitia James, in the court filing.

Last week, attorneys for Trump, his adult children and some of the Trump Organization's lawyers filed "verified answers" to the lawsuit. In those responses, the Trumps repeatedly said they lack "sufficient knowledge" to answer many of the allegations.

"To remedy these improper pleadings, OAG intends to file a motion seeking to: deem factual allegations subject to improper denials as admitted; dismiss affirmative defenses; and sanction Defendants and their counsel," the filing said.

The attorney general asked Judge Arthur Engoron, who previously considered sanctioning Trump's attorneys for repeating legal arguments he already rejected, to hold a hearing, accept as admissions some of the responses they say are “improper,” reject some of their defenses and sanction the defendants and their attorneys.

"The Court has already admonished Defendants and their counsel for their continued invocation of meritless legal claims but exercised its discretion in not imposing such sanctions, 'having made its point,'" said Wallace. "It does not appear that this point was taken, however, and OAG would ask the Court to renew the issue."

James sued Trump and his eldest children for $250 million last year alleging they engaged in a decade-long fraud that mislead lenders and insurers.

The Trumps have denied any wrongdoing and say the lawsuit is politically motivated.

The New York attorney general's office has requested a conference with the court to discuss a briefing schedule to move forward with the sanctions against Trump and his company.