Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced the closure of a multi-year investigation into the Trump Organization's valuation practices concerning a New York golf club. The investigation, which began in 2021, focused on whether former President Trump or his organization misrepresented the value of the Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor to reduce its tax burden. Rocah emphasized the importance of an independent justice system, stating her commitment to impartial investigations regardless of political affiliations.
Former President Trump responded to the announcement on Truth Social, expressing relief that the case was dropped without charges. He questioned the impact on his reputation and called for other investigations against him to be dismissed, characterizing them as "fake cases" and "election interference."
The investigation, led by special prosecutor and former assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Jacobson, involved scrutinizing records from the golf course and the town of Ossining, which manages the course's taxes. The Trump Organization's valuation of the club had fluctuated, initially estimated at $1.4 million for tax purposes and later rising to $6.5 million. Meanwhile, the town of Ossining assessed the club's value at over $15 million for several years. A 2021 court decision resulted in a compromised assessment of $9.5 million for that year and retroactive reductions, leading to substantial refunds for the Trump Organization.
This announcement coincided with Trump's recent "not guilty" plea in Miami to 37 federal charges related to classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. These charges encompass willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements. Trump currently leads the 2024 Republican presidential primary race, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
