# 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:** 74
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1462 "2023-11-15T20:30:50Z")
Good point. It’s sort of like calling “kidnapping” a “citizen’s arrest” ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1463 "2023-11-15T20:39:29Z")
Ayup. Moron [sic] the story here: > **["Seems like a bad strategy": Legal experts warn Trump's bid for NY mistrial...](https://news.yahoo.com/seems-bad-strategy-legal-experts-185812373.html)** > > Trump attorneys' motion for mistrial may have run afoul of the judge's gag order, analysts say. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1464 "2023-11-15T20:44:40Z")
‘Badly backfire’? Surely, they meant ‘bigly’! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1465 "2023-11-15T20:46:53Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And… Invite Trump to attempt a so called “citizen’s arrest” right then and there. I’d pay good money to see that. I’m musing that the bailiff could even let Trump borrow some handcuffs if he forgot to bring his own. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1466 "2023-11-15T21:07:31Z")
One of my frustrations with most of the reporting on stories like this is that they seldom include a link to the actual filing. Here it is: > **[donald-trump-fraud-mistrial-motion.pdf](https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/donald-trump-fraud-mistrial-motion.pdf)** > > 1747.20 KB ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1467 "2023-11-15T21:31:27Z")
> **["Stunning": Court reporters hint at “rumblings” of potential Trump settlement...](https://news.yahoo.com/stunning-court-reporters-hint-rumblings-141420127.html)** > > Attorney Alina Habba privately met with judge Tuesday after Trump complained about “low-ball settlement offer." I will be astonished if this happens. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1468 "2023-11-15T21:36:09Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > I see on Meidastouch that they’ve filed their motion for mistrial, based on their assertion that the clerk is “co-judging” and a democrat. This should go well for them. Did they just commit contempt of court in a fucking filing? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1469 "2023-11-15T21:36:14Z")
Thanks for that. And – as you’ve been _exceedingly_ selfless in taking the occasional One for the Team – I’d be grateful if you were willing to simply characterize it as worth reading (even if only for the LOLs or a total waste of time and utterly predictable. You have the thanks of (a venerable subset of) a grateful nation. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1470 "2023-11-15T21:45:11Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Did they just commit contempt of court in a fucking filing? Well, they at least massively violated the gag order as well as the instructions from the judge about such filings like yesterday… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1471 "2023-11-15T21:46:53Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I will be astonished if this happens. Ain’t gonna happen. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1472 "2023-11-15T21:52:52Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > ["Stunning": Court reporters hint at “rumblings” of potential Trump settlement talks in NY fraud case](https://news.yahoo.com/stunning-court-reporters-hint-rumblings-141420127.html) > > I will be astonished if this happens. Eh, agreed, but I could absolutely see TRUMP trying it. You know the classic mob/tycoon thing “Your judgeship, I’ve milked this whole thing for as much money as I can grub off the rubes, but it’s getting boring, and I have better things to do. How much to make all of this go away? 10 mil? Okay, fine, 20 mil, and I’ll do a charity fundraiser for New York! But to make that happen, I gotta keep my businesses going you see? And if you don’t we can keep doing this as long as it takes. You’ve got real criminals to deal with don’t ya?” ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1473 "2023-11-15T21:53:05Z")
I didn’t hear that Trump’s been claiming they’ve been asking him to settle. Probably with tears in their eyes. “Sir,” they said. “The corrupt judge and lawyers don’t t know we’re here, but we’re begging you to settle. Please, for the good of the nation, you have to get back on the campaign trail. Please settle this case. We’ll take anything! A dollar!” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1474 "2023-11-15T21:55:04Z")
What am I missing, why is he complaining about a “low ball” offer? Does he want to pay more or does he think that’s the amount they’re going to pay him? ETA, maybe the ‘offer’ is how much they’re willing to asses his properties/businesses for if/when they’re liquidated. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1475 "2023-11-15T21:57:41Z")
They made a crappy offer which they would be delighted to take but will never happen. Now they can claim that they tried to settle in good faith. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1476 "2023-11-15T21:57:59Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > What am I missing, why is he complaining about a “low ball” offer? Does he want to pay more or does he think that’s the amount they’re going to pay him? He’s under the impression that he did nothing wrong, so settling for any amount would be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1477 "2023-11-15T21:58:33Z")
Settle? In our moment of triumph? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1478 "2023-11-15T21:58:51Z")
That’s what I figured, but then he should be insulted by AN offer, not a low ball offer. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1479 "2023-11-15T21:59:14Z")
Right, it’s just regular Trumpy lying. “They tried to get me to settle, but I’ll never fold because I’m innocent,” when in reality James has an airtight case and wouldn’t make him an offer in a million years. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1480 "2023-11-15T21:59:54Z")
The whole case revolves around the Trump Org’s collective inability to understand … well … math. This seems perfectly in character to me. /s They probably used “lowball” in the generic sense, meaning: an offer that wasn’t worthy of our consideration. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1481 "2023-11-15T22:02:25Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > They probably used “lowball” in the generic sense, meaning: an offer that wasn’t worthy of our consideration. Yeah - “the fines they were asking me to settle at were ridiculously low. For the bigly shit I did, they gotta make it a little richer! I am a big time criminal, not some two-bit street thug! Where’s the respect??” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=73) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=75)