# 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:** 36
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/702 "2023-10-17T22:04:59Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > So if I were to put in a bid for the White House for say USD1.5bil, I’d get knocked over in the rush to accept it? That would probably be enough to get you sponsor naming rights, provided your name is White. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/703 "2023-10-17T22:05:59Z")
> He also claims Mar-a-Lago is “the most expensive house, probably, in the world” and adds that it’s worth as much as $1.5 billion. Then he can pay taxes on the 1.5 Billion value he himself has put on it, rather than the 18 - 37 million that Palm Beach County put on it. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/704 "2023-10-17T23:12:56Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Then he can pay taxes on the 1.5 Billion value he himself has put on it, rather than the 18 - 37 million that Palm Beach County put on it. That’s what I was thinking. Palm Beach County tax assessor is probably going “cha-CHING!!” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/705 "2023-10-17T23:40:53Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > That’s what I was thinking. Palm Beach County tax assessor is probably going “cha-CHING!!” You’re not the only one thinking that. > **[Moskowitz calls to increase Mar-a-Lago property taxes after Trump claims it's...](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/moskowitz-calls-to-increase-mar-a-lago-property-taxes-after-trump-claims-its-worth-1-8b/)** > > The Democratic congressman's letter comes after the former president said his Florida estate was greatly undervalued. > **[23.10.05-Mar-a-Lago-Tax-Letter.pdf](https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/moskowitz.house.gov/uploads/2023/10/23.10.05-Mar-a-Lago-Tax-Letter.pdf)** ETA: added a link to an article rather than just a blind pdf. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/706 "2023-10-17T23:52:14Z")
nm double ninja’d ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/707 "2023-10-17T23:58:12Z")
I suppose when you consider all the stolen and untaxed money stored as gold bars hidden on the premises, the 1.5B might not be too far off. Perhaps DEA can conduct one of their thorough raids and locate this horde. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/708 "2023-10-18T00:56:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > …gold bars hidden on the premises… Disguised as toilets and other plumbing fixtures. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/709 "2023-10-18T01:06:25Z")
Moderating: > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I suppose when you consider all the stolen and untaxed money stored as gold bars hidden on the premises, the 1.5B might not be too far off. Perhaps DEA can conduct one of their thorough raids and locate this horde. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Disguised as toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Let’s drop this hijack now, please. @ThelmaLou, you engage in these off-topic throwaway lines quite frequently in these narrow threads. Please stop. There are lots of places on the board for goofing and not pulling threads off topic. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/710 "2023-10-18T01:50:49Z")
Sorry. 🤐 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/711 "2023-10-18T03:40:22Z")
To add to that: > **[Trump Shares Article Doxxing NY AG’s Address, May Violate Gag Order](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-shares-article-doxxing-letitia-james-address-may-violate-gag-order)** > > Far-right internet personality Laura Loomer posted two documents that listed what appears to be James’ home address in Brooklyn, which Trump then shared. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/712 "2023-10-18T23:01:09Z")
Prosecution witness accused of lying, while Trump isn’t pleased with his answers. [Trump’s frustration builds at New York civil fraud trial as lawyer asks witness if he lied - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-trial-fraud-new-york-lawyer-witness/) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/713 "2023-10-19T00:04:27Z")
Brief detour, though I think it’s relevant. ISTM that the crux of this testimony revolves around the method of appraising _commercial_ (or income) vs. _residential_ property: > **[tto\_release\_properties\_addendum\_-\_final.pdf](https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tto_release_properties_addendum_-_final.pdf)** > > 160.00 KB Commercial properties’ values are based on a rigorous evaluation of any lease documents, and an analysis of cash flows generated from those leases. That income is adjusted by such things as vacancy factors, maintenance, management fees, and operating expenses, and then divided by a capitalization rate in order to arrive at market value. > **[Capitalization Rate: Cap Rate Defined With Formula and Examples](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capitalizationrate.asp)** > > The capitalization rate is the rate of return on a real estate investment property based on the income that the property is expected to generate. Trump was apparently lying about the income figures _and_ arguing for a lower capitalization rate. Dividing by a lower number yields a higher number (market value), particularly when you lie about _both_ numbers 😉 This guy … may NOT be scrupulously honest. Yeah. I know. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/714 "2023-10-19T14:09:42Z")
A woman tried to approach Trump during the trial. Apparently she was escorted out. She’s a court employee and fan of Trump. It honestly never occurred to me to think about Trump loyalists working in the courthouse, and I’m not sure why it didn’t enter my mind. > **[Woman arrested after trying to approach Trump at his civil fraud trial](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/woman-arrested-trying-approach-trump-civil-fraud-trial-rcna121085)** > > The woman tried to go up to the former president at the defense table, saying, “I want to speak to Mr. Trump.” ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/715 "2023-10-19T16:25:26Z")
That’s not going to do her any favors in retaining her employment there. At the very least, I daresay her supervisor’s going to have some harsh things to say. Court employees have to deal, one way or another, with all sides in all cases that come their way for handling, and do so impartially. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/716 "2023-10-19T16:37:10Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Court employees have to deal, one way or another, with all sides in all cases that come their way for handling, and do so impartially. It seems a bit unfair that a court employee is not allowed to seek healing for hemorrhagic fever by touching the hem of a defendant’s garment. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/717 "2023-10-19T16:38:24Z")
Heh. Just as well; she’d probably pick up a secondary plague infection. Joking aside, that really is a gross breach of the professionalism expected of court employees, especially the arguing with the court officers seeking to get her out. Fortunately it’s a jury-waived trial so there’s no impact on jurors, and I’m sure the judge can put it aside as irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/718 "2023-10-19T18:48:41Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It seems a bit unfair that a court employee is not allowed to seek healing for hemorrhagic fever by touching the hem of a defendant’s garment. I thought it was **Tuberculous lymphadenitis (scrofula)** ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/719 "2023-10-19T18:58:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I thought it was **Tuberculous lymphadenitis (scrofula)** Also known as the king’s evil. Although he’s not a king. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/720 "2023-10-19T19:02:08Z")
But he IS evil. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/721 "2023-10-19T19:10:03Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Although he’s not a king. Not yet, of course. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=37)