New York attorney general files fraud lawsuit against Trump, three eldest children

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) on Wednesday filed a civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, three of his children, and several associated businesses, alleging that they were involved in fraud.

Court records, obtained by CNN, show that the defendants include the former president and his three eldest children: Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump.

Other defendants include former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, Jeffrey Mcconney, The Trump Organization, Inc. and other businesses associated with Trump.

The more than 200-page lawsuit alleges that all Trump businesses were rife with fraud and that the Trump Organization deceived tax officials, lenders and insurers by inflating property values through misleading appraisals. 

"These acts of fraud and misrepresentation were similar in nature, were committed by upper management at the Trump Organization as part of a common endeavor for each annual Statement, and were approved at the highest levels of the Trump Organization -- including by Mr. Trump himself," the court filing states.

The Democrat attorney general is seeking $250 million in funds and to permanently prohibit Trump and his three eldest children from being director of a business registered in the state. She is also attempting to terminate the Trump Organization's corporate certificate, which would force the company to stop operating in New York state.

The lawsuit comes after the former president said he declined to answer questions in James' probe last month.