U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

09/21/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/21/2022 13:25

Wyden Statement on New York Attorney General Trump Lawsuit

September 21,2022

Press Contact:

Ashley Schapitl, Office of Senate Finance Chair Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Wyden Statement on New York Attorney General Trump Lawsuit

Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement in response to New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against Donald Trump:

"Attorney General James has provided significant evidence of violations of federal tax law. This alleged conduct could land the typical American in prison for years, and it's critical that the IRS fully investigate these issues.

"Every day, prosecutors bring cases involving a fraction of the fraud alleged here, and the federal government can't send the message that only regular folks face accountability while people like Donald Trump break the law with impunity.

"I'm particularly concerned by Donald Trump's alleged abuse of the conservation easement program, which was the focus of an extensive Finance Committee report. This underscores the need to get our bipartisan bill reforming the syndicated conservation easement program across the finish line.

"The Finance Committee has written to Trump's accounting firm Mazars on this matter, and we intend to fully investigate the role played by other intermediaries involved in preparing allegedly false statements.

"Lastly, this case shows the importance of our investments to rebuild the IRS. This is the kind of cheating that goes on when the IRS is outgunned by the likes of Donald Trump's armies of lawyers."

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