'Dirty business': Judge Engoron orders increased monitoring of Trump Org's operations
The court-appointed monitor keeping tabs on the Trump Organization was granted more control to keep the company from engaging in "dirty business," according to court records and reports.
Former federal Judge Barbara Jones now has the right to dig into the day-to-day operations of former President Donald Trump's eponymous company, at the heart of his $464 million civil fraud judgment, after Judge Arthur Engoron signed a new ruling.
"Defendants shall provide the Monitor with information sufficient to assess the Trump Organization's internal controls, including day-to-day operations of its accounting, finance, financial disclosure, and compliance functions, including record-keeping, and financial reporting policies and procedures," the order reads.
"If necessary, the Court may enter an order requiring the Trump Organization to implement all or certain of the Monitor's recommendations."
This new ruling arrives just days before Trump's deadline to secure a bond in New York Attorney General Letitia James' civil action against him, having been found liable for defrauding lenders and investors last year.
Trump, who denies wrongdoing, has said he's been unable to secure a bond and asked a higher court to stay the ruling as he pursues an appeal.
James' office responded Wednesday with a demand for more information about his financial situation.
"They're trying to get under the hood to understand if Trump just doesn't want to take the terms that are being offered," CNN reporter Kara Scannell explained, "or if they really can't get a deal."
The Daily Beast, first to report on the new filing in New York Supreme Court, notes that Jones previously was privy only to Trump Organization transactions involving more than $5 million and business deals.
"She now has the right to essentially do whatever she deems necessary to keep the Trump Organization from engaging in dirty business practices," writes Jose Pagliery.
ALSO READ: Letter carriers face bullets and beatings while postal service sidelines police
Engoron dubbed the new order "a productive and enhanced monitorship" and mandates Jones' work not be hindered.
"If Defendants engage in a transaction, or any other activity, that has the effect of circumventing or frustrating the Monitorship Order," Engoron concludes, "the Monitor may advise the Court of a potential violation of this Monitorship Order."
While Trump did not respond directly to the ruling Thursday, he did take to Truth Social Thursday to complain about Engoron and the large chunk of change he's been ordered to hand over.
"Even though I did nothing wrong, a Radical Left New York Judge, a true Trump Hater, Arthur Engoron (Are we allowed to speak about his Unconstitutional Gag Order?), picked a number out of THIN AIR, $355,000,000, plus interest (reminiscent of John Lovitz, 'The Liar,' on SNL when it was good), & wants me to bond it, which is not possible for bonding companies to do in such a high amount, before I can even Appeal," Trump wrote.
"That is CRAZY!"