# NY AG Letitia James drops the (civil) hammer {On Trump & Family} \[9/21/2022\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 21, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991 "2022-09-21T16:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 103
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2042 "2024-02-11T16:38:01Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > > > Based upon the linked article, he is a complete hack. > > Calabresi is incredibly intelligent, having graduated Yale Law School, clerked for Scalia, and is a law professor at Northwestern. I’ve heard him speak, and his intelligence, research, and memory are impressive. > > He also co-wrote an article supporting the second impeachment of Trump, stating: “We should not allow that to happen. He tried to steal the election and incited a mob to abet his wrongdoing. He is a danger to the nation and must be removed immediately and disqualified from ever holding public office again.” > > But, he’s also the co-chair of the Federalist Society, a supporter of “originalism”, and has wriiten extensively in support of the “unitary executive” theory. > > I wouldn’t call him a political hack. He’s certainly motivated by his political ideology, and is relatively predictable where he will land on any issue, but I don’t think he’s a hack. Often wrong with a poorly reasoned view of the Constitution, but not a hack. > > Josh Blackman, another frequent contributor at Volokh, however, is nothing more than a political hack and bootlicker. Upon further review of his writings and opinions, I have changed my mind completely about Calabresi. He is, and steadfastly committed to remaining, a political hack. He’s a very intelligent hack, but his viewpoints and his arguments clearly show his legal opinions are simply the byproduct of his political views, and no one should ever take his opinion as worth more than say a Rush Limbaugh or Tucker Carlson. You were right, @Measure_for_Measure, and I was wrong. It is perfectly acceptable to reject anything Calabresi says as the ramblings of a politician and not as a legal analyst. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2043 "2024-02-13T06:07:38Z")
Sorry, but Federalist Society? No, just no. You can read/listen to what they have to say, but always give their words the weight of a sheet of parchment in a gale. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2044 "2024-02-14T02:10:11Z")
NBC is reporting that Engoron will rule on Friday. Do we know if their were any replies to his request for input regarding the potential perjury case? ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2045 "2024-02-14T02:30:38Z")
Prosecutors said they were not aware of any plea deal discussions. Defense called the judge a hack and accused him of political bias for even asking the question and taking the word of the New York Times as gospel in his unfair ruling. That did not go over well. The judge answered back that if he found out later that there was indeed a guilty plea deal being discussed that the defense would NOT like the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2046 "2024-02-14T02:42:43Z")
I’m confused. What is your post referencing? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2047 "2024-02-14T03:06:26Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Prosecutors said they were not aware of any plea deal discussions If the prosecutors say they aren’t aware of any plea discussions, that should be an end to it. Or do you mean the lawyers for the AGNY on the civil suit? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2048 "2024-02-14T03:40:27Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > What is your post referencing? I’m confused too since this is a thread for a civil trial. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2049 "2024-02-14T03:46:38Z")
My thought was they are referencing the potential new plea deal mentioned by @mjmartin regarding Allen Weisselberg and if either party was aware of it beyond the rumor mentioned by @MulderMuffin MJMartin’s post has a link to a CNBC article about the rumor/report: > [@NY AG Letitia James drops the (civil) hammer {On Trump & Family} \[9/21/2022\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1999): > > I had been hoping to see a verdict in this case today, to go along with the Appeals Court decision, making it a very, very bad day for Trump. It doesn’t look like it will be coming any time soon though. Judge Engoron has issued an order requiring the parties to inform the Court what they know about the perjury plea deal in the works by Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg, for perjury he committed in the fraud case. I think the verdict is likely to be huge in any event, but a perjury conviction for a “st… ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2050 "2024-02-14T03:55:40Z")
Got it, thanks. A quote of the post one is responding too or link to the article (both of which you provided) is always helpful. Particularly when the post is 50 posts back and from 1 week ago. My fault for not keeping up better I suppose but hitting the “Reply” button makes it much more clear. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2051 "2024-02-14T04:02:41Z")
Yes, in reference to the judge asking the lawyers involved if there was any truth to the reporting in the New York Times about the perjury plea deal. My apologies. I was responding to the post just above mine and did not quote the question asked, which would have gone a long way towards making my answer a bit clearer. [https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/politics/trump-civil-fraud-trial-judge-defends-questioning-potential-perjury-from-witness/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/politics/trump-civil-fraud-trial-judge-defends-questioning-potential-perjury-from-witness/index.html) > “You and your co-counsel have been questioning my impartiality since the early days of this case, presumably because I sometimes rule against your clients. That whole approach is getting old,” the judge wrote. > > “I am not reopening the case, but if someone pleads guilty to committing perjury in a case over which I am presiding, I want to know about it,” the judge wrote. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2052 "2024-02-14T04:04:37Z")
Thank you for the clarification and link. Both are appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2053 "2024-02-14T04:06:30Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Prosecutors said they were not aware of any plea deal discussions. So you mean the **plaintiffs** not the prosecutors. That’s why I was so damn confused. Especially since the word “guilty” is being tossed around. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2054 "2024-02-14T04:09:12Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > So you mean the **plaintiffs** not the prosecutors. That’s why I was so damn confused. Especially since the word “guilty” is being tossed around. Absolutely correct. The different terms for the civil trials trip me up sometimes because my mind hears “trial” and defaults to prosecution and defense, guilty and not guilty instead of plaintiff and respondent, liable or not liable. (Though wouldn’t a plea deal for perjury indeed be a guilty plea?) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2055 "2024-02-14T13:18:00Z")
Yes, but it wouldn’t necessarily be known in advance by the lawyers for the AGNY in the civil trial, since the criminal matter would be handled by the NY DA. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2056 "2024-02-14T14:58:42Z")
[Aside] > [@MulderMuffin](#): > > I was responding to the post just above mine and did not quote the question asked… It’s always good for clarity’s sake to actually quote the text you’re referencing, but not 100% necessary. When replying to the post just above, hit the “reply” button at the lower right of the post you’re replying to. That will create a link to that post, so people can go back. Even if you’re replying to a post from days, weeks, months ago, the “reply” button will create the link. Apologies if you already know this. [/Aside] Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2057 "2024-02-15T18:14:15Z")
We will likely get a verdict tomorrow > **[Verdict expected Friday in Trump's $370 million civil fraud trial](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna138720)** > > The ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron had initially been expected by Jan. 31. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2058 "2024-02-15T18:19:57Z")
Oh boy, is this great! (Takes a little sting out of what seems to be happening in Ga.) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2059 "2024-02-15T19:11:59Z")
3 posts were merged into an existing topic: [Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here/980953/944) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2060 "2024-02-15T19:56:43Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Oh boy, is this great! Quote from Animal House? 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/2061 "2024-02-16T04:49:55Z")
never mind, wrong thread for this topic, don’t want to start a hijack. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=102) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=104)