New York AG investigates real estate giants Cushman and Wakefield for helping Donald Trump

As the New York attorney general investigates the Trump Organization for falsifying property values ​​on official documents, lawyers revealed Monday that one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms is also under investigation for its role in the scheme: Cushman & Wakefield.

On Monday, attorney for AG’s office Letitia James said the real estate company is now a central element in the expanding investigation into alleged bank fraud by the Trump family group.

“They’re right in the middle of this,” assistant attorney general Austin Thompson told the court, noting what investigators found was the company’s key role in its “decade history of making claims.” misrepresenting the assets of the Trump company.”

Cushman & Wakefield, which is headquartered in Chicago but operates worldwide, has provided advisors that have helped former President Donald Trump’s company assess its properties in California and New York. The company abruptly severed ties with the Trump Organization in the days following the January 6, 2021 uprising.

AG’s office has now taken the position that the company’s decision to separate itself from Trump is in itself a questionable move like the recent decision by global accounting firm Mazars USA to delist quit Trump — and turn down their jobs to him.

“We think the noisy exits from Cushman and Wakefield… are another red flag. And we wanted to learn more about it,” said Thompson.

The real estate firm’s attorney, Sawnie A. McEntire, painted a different picture. He said the company played with AG’s years-long investigation, turning over documents after receiving four subpoenas and asking half a dozen employees to provide witness statements to investigators. investigate.

“We have not ignored the attorney general’s subpoenas, and we have never been before the law,” McEntire said.

The issue now is whether the attorney general’s office can gather much more evidence, especially now that their investigation seems to be heating up and the time is near for the office to be able to sue the Foundation. Trump and others for allegedly violating New York business laws.

Thompson told the judge on Monday: “The evidence shows that Cushman has been wrapped up in the same falsehoods by Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization as any other entity.