NEW YORK, Oct 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Donald Trump suffered another blow
Wednesday in his battle to prevent New York prosecutors from obtaining
his tax returns, meaning the dispute is likely heading to the Supreme
Court for a second time.
Three federal appeal court judges dismissed the US president’s
request to block a subpoena of documents held by the accountancy firm
Mazars, which handles his taxes.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance wants the returns, which
cover 2011 to 2018, as part of an investigation into Trump’s business
affairs.
The prosecutor is investigating possible tax evasion, insurance
fraud and falsification of accounts.
Vance is also seeking the records in connection with an alleged
hush money payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels.
Prosecutors claim the payment was made during the 2016 presidential
campaign, in violation of campaign finance laws.
US presidents are not required by law to release details of their
personal finances but every US leader since Richard Nixon has done so.
Trump has broken with this tradition.
His lawyers argued that the subpoena should be blocked, saying the
president has immunity from prosecution.
That argument was rejected three times, including by the Supreme
Court in July.
Trump’s lawyers returned to a lower court to argue that the
subpoena is too broad for the scope of the investigation. They also
claimed the probe was politically motivated.
The appeals judges on Wednesday backed an earlier decision by a
federal court that Trump’s lawyers had not provided sufficient proof
of those claims.
Trump is now expected to turn to the Supreme Court again. His
lawyers did not respond to requests for comment from AFP.
Ahead of the November 3 election, the New York Times reported last
month that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and
2017.