Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 1 of 30

HABBA MADAIO & ASSOCIATES LLP

Alina Habba, Esq.
Attorney ID No.: 4931630
1430 U.S. Highway 206, Suite 240
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
-and-
112 West 34th Street, 17th & 18th Floors
New York, New York 10120
Telephone: (908) 869-1188
Facsimile: (908) 450-1881
E-mail: [email protected]
Attorneys for Plaintiffs,
Donald J. Trump and Trump Organization LLC

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Civil Action No.:

DONALD J. TRUMP and TRUMP ORGANIZATION LLC,

Plaintiffs,

v.

LETITIA JAMES, in her official capacity as Attorney

General for the State of New York,

Defendant.

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

The plaintiffs, Donald J. Trump and Trump Organization LLC (collectively, “Plaintiffs”),

by and through their undersigned attorneys, Habba Madaio & Associates LLP, commence this

action seeking declaratory relief and injunctive relief, in the form preliminary and permanent

injunctions, against the above-named defendant and allege as follows:

1
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 2 of 30

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

1. In the words of Letitia James, “no one is above the law” — not even the Attorney

General of the State of New York. Law enforcement officials have a sacred duty to wield the

state’s police power in a fair and impartial manner, without the slightest hint of favor, animus, or

personal bias. This duty is founded in the United States Constitution and is a bedrock principle of

our democracy. For this reason, it is particularly egregious when a prominent government official

abandons this solemn oath in service of her own self-interests.

2. A prosecutor’s duty is not to “win a case, but that justice shall be done.” 1 Indeed,

prosecutors possess enormous power and that is why they are, as the United States Supreme Court

has emphasized, subject to strict professional and ethical constraints. 2 “The law…seeks to protect

against…prosecutors with political motivations” by, among other things, prohibiting them from

engaging in “arbitrary fishing expeditions” and “initiating investigations out of malice or an intent

to harass.” 3

3. As Attorney General, Letitia James is the highest-ranking law enforcement official

in the State of New York. She is entrusted with a great deal of power which she is obligated to

use in a resolute and unbiased manner. Rather than embrace this responsibility, James has instead

chosen to exploit it. For years, she has flagrantly abused her investigatory powers to target her

political adversaries and advance her career. Her relentless attacks on Donald J. Trump serve as a

prime example. Since taking office, she has tirelessly bombarded him, his family and his business,

Trump Organization LLC, with unwarranted subpoenas in a bitter crusade to “take on” the

President.

1
See Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935).
2
See, e.g., Trump v. Vance, 140 S.Ct. 2412, 2428 (2020).
3
Id.

2
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 3 of 30

4. As outlined below, James’s bias is immediately apparent. Among other things, she

has referred to the Trump presidency as “illegitimate,” has promised to weaponize her resources

against him and “anyone in [his] orbit,” and has boasted about suing him “76 times.” Most

troubling, James began making these threats before she was even elected at a time when she

possessed no actual information or insight into Trump’s business.

5. The investigations commenced by James are in no way connected to legitimate law

enforcement goals, but rather, are merely a thinly-veiled effort to publicly malign Trump and his

associates. Her mission is guided solely by political animus and a desire to harass, intimidate, and

retaliate against a private citizen who she views as a political opponent.

6. James has deprived, and will continue to deprive, Plaintiffs of their rights under

federal law, state law and common law by virtue of her callous acts. Even worse, rather than

diligently prosecuting actual crimes in the State of New York—which are steadily on the rise—

James has instead allocated precious taxpayer resources towards a frivolous witch hunt. Plaintiffs

now come before this Court to hold James accountable for her official misconduct and to preserve

the integrity of the office she holds.

THE PARTIES

7. Plaintiff, Donald J. Trump (“Trump”), is a private citizen of the United States and

a resident of the State of Florida in the County of Palm Beach.

8. Plaintiff, Trump Organization LLC (the “Trump Organization”), is a corporation

doing business in the State of New York with a principal place of business at Trump Tower, 725

Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

9. Defendant, Letitia James (“Defendant”), is the Attorney General for the State of

New York and is being sued in her official capacity.

3
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 4 of 30

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

10. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 since this

case arises under the Constitution and laws of the United States, as well as 42 U.S.C. § 1983 since

Plaintiffs bring this suit to vindicate the deprivation of “rights, privileges, or immunities secured

by the Constitution.” This Court also has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §1343.

11. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) because the

defendant resides in and performs her official duties in this District and a substantial part of the

events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs’ claims occurred in this District. In the alternative, to

the extent 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) is not applicable, venue is proper in accordance with 28 U.S.C.

§ 1391(b)(3).

12. The relief requested is authorized pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202 (declaratory

and related relief), 28 U.S.C. § 1651 (injunctive relief), 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (relief for deprivation of

rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the constitution), 28 U.S.C. § 1343 (relief for the

protection of civil rights), and 42 U.S.C. § 1988 (award for attorneys’ fees and costs).

STATEMENT OF FACTS

I. Defendant’s Longstanding Animosity Toward Plaintiffs

13. Defendant is an outspoken political activist and member of the Democratic Party.

14. Prior to serving as Attorney General of the State of New York, Defendant served

as a Democratic member of the New York City Council and New York City Public Advocate for

over a decade.

15. After Trump’s victory in the 2016 Presidential Election, Defendant began

displaying severe animosity towards the president-elect.

4
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 5 of 30

16. Prior to Trump’s inauguration, Defendant retweeted calls for sit-ins to protest

Trump’s nomination of Jeff Sessions to be United States Attorney General. 4

17. Five days after Trump’s inauguration, Defendant joined public protests and

declared that his “administration ha[d] shown its true and ugly colors, but we will not be silent.”

18. Over the next several months, Defendant continued to publicly voice her disdain

for Trump and his administration. 5

19. Six and a half months into Trump’s term, Defendant was already leading “die-in”

protests against Trump because, according to her, “we are all being killed by this administration.”6

Defendant punctuated her tweet with the hashtag, “Resist.”

20. The hashtag “#Resist” was widely recognized as shorthand for fighting Trump at

every level in an effort to make Trump and his supporters “uncomfortable and not able to rest

well” and thus unable to effectively implement his policies. 7

21. Defendant’s embrace of the “resistance” mentality from the earliest days of the

Trump presidency foreshadowed her relentless abuse of power as Attorney General.

22. Eight and a half months into Trump’s term, Defendant accused him of “blatant

disregard for human lives.” 8

4
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (Jan. 25, 2017) archived at https://bit.ly/3jEjeJ0 (“Please [retweet] if you
support @NAACP sit-ins protesting Jeff Sessions for Attorney General.”).
5
See, e.g., id., (Feb. 11, 2017, 12:01 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3liyZpK (“@villagedemocrat out in full force today
calling on our elected officials to fight for us against this administration.”); id., (Mar. 5, 2017, 5:01 PM ET)
https://bit.ly/2Gl6c56 (“Hey @realDonaldTrump, we’re in Queens, your hometown, rising up against your
xenophobic policies, & we’re ready to act.”); id., (June 3, 2017, 10:18 AM ET) https://bit.ly/33z0XYj (“Always
proud to be with strong New York women standing up & speaking out against an administration that doesn’t
represent out values.”).
6
id. (Aug. 14, 2017, 5:55 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3lu9fqz .
7
‘Resist’ is a Battlecry, But What Does It Mean? The New York Times, Feb. 14, 2017, https://nyti.ms/2GLln77 .
8
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (Sep. 5, 2017, 11:06 AM ET) https://bit.ly/3lhVStj “Trump admin once
again showing blatant disregard for human lives.”).

5
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 6 of 30

23. Roughly ten months into Trump’s term, Defendant announced: “I’ve been leading

the resistance against Donald Trump in NYC and will only continue to do so in every way

possible.” 9

24. In her capacity as New York City Public Advocate, Defendant demonstrated a

willingness to wield the government’s power against those whose political beliefs differed from

her own. 10 That willingness took center stage in Defendant’s political campaign for attorney

general and her subsequent actions as New York’s chief law enforcement officer.

II. Defendant Campaigned for Attorney General on a Promise to Target Trump and the
Trump Organization.

25. In May of 2018, after Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s resignation,

Defendant declared her candidacy for Attorney General of the State of New York.

26. As a candidate for Attorney General, Defendant made “taking on Donald Trump”11

the focal point of her campaign, often comparing herself to Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller,

who, at the time, was leading the now-debunked investigation into whether the Trump campaign

colluded with Russians to interfere in the 2016 election.

27. Defendant’s campaign website not only repeated derogatory and inaccurate

statements concerning Trump’s policies but also stated—with no evidentiary basis whatsoever—

that Trump had engaged in “public corruption.” 12

28. Though it appears to have since been removed, the website at one time provided a

link to a detailed outline of Defendant’s strategy for rooting out corruption, with a section

9
Id., (Oct. 16, 2017, 7:57 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3d4wBQr emphasis added).do so in every way possible.” Id., (Oct.
16, 2017, 7:57 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3d4wBQr (emphasis added).
10
See id., (July 19, 2017, 10:32 AM ET) https://bit.ly/2F3wHLt (“We will not allow companies that build Trump’s
wall, a monument to racism and bigotry, to also do business with NYC.”)
11
See, e.g., Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (June 27, 2018, 10:48 AM ET) https://bit.ly/2GG4uuy (“Congrats
[now-Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez] on your victory. Looking forward to working with you to help
Democrats take on Donald Trump.”)
12
http://www.tishjames2018.com/corruption/

6
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 7 of 30

specifically devoted to Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization entitled “Investigate

Trump’s New York Business.”

29. As stated in the outline, the investigation would include:

“a review of Trump-related real estate transactions, especially those

in which the Trump family suddenly started paying cash for
properties after years of operating their businesses exclusively by
borrowing money.”

30. Of course, Defendant had no personal knowledge about any “Trump-related real

estate transactions” at the time that she made these statements, as she had not yet been elected

Attorney General and possessed no information or insight into Trump’s business other than what

she had presumably seen in the media.

31. Nonetheless, Defendant continued to shamelessly campaign on her unfounded

allegations against Trump and his family in a misguided effort to garner media attention and

promote her fundraising efforts.

32. On June 26, 2018, Defendant spoke at a protest opposing the Supreme Court’s

decision in Trump v. Hawaii, 138 S. Ct. 2392 (2018), telling the crowd that “it’s critically

important that we all understand that this was a result of the fact that [Republicans] stole the

Supreme Court seat. An illegitimate president and an illegitimate member of the Supreme

Court.” 13

33. On July 1, 2018, Defendant tweeted “New Yorkers need a fighter who will take on

Donald Trump … I’ll be that fighter. Join my campaign.” 14

13
Letitia James Foley Sq Opposing Travel Ban Supreme Court Decision, YouTube, 0:55 (June 26, 2018)
https://bit.ly/3d58PDS .
14
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (July 1, 2018, 2:56 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3nh8rH4

7
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 8 of 30

34. On July 11, 2018, Defendant posted on Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue

with messages such as “I need your help in this fight against Donald Trump,” and “[i]n this fight

against Donald Trump and his harmful administration, I need your help.” 15

35. By promising to prosecute a political opponent as a way of enticing voters to

provide donations to her campaign, Defendant likely violated numerous campaign finance laws.

36. On July 19, 2018, in the midst of a politically-charged speech before The Bronx

Democratic Party, Defendant promised to use the law as a “sword” to relentlessly bombard Trump,

proclaiming that that “no one is above the law, including this illegitimate president…and so I look

forward to going into the office of Attorney General every day, suing him, defending your rights,

and then going home!” 16 Her pledge to utilize her position as a means of harassing a political

opponent foreshadowed her future actions as Attorney General and demonstrated her irreverence

for the duty to remain impartial in the role.

37. On August 6, 2018, Defendant stated that “[t]he president of the United States has

to worry about three things: [Special Counsel Robert] Mueller, [Michael] Cohen, and Tish James.

We’re all closing in on him.” 17

38. Yet again, Defendant boldly alleged that Trump was actively engaged in criminal

conduct, despite having no knowledge of any specific wrongdoing or any insight into Trump’s

business activities.

15
Id. (July 11, 2018, 5:03 PM ET) https://twitter.com/tishjames/status/1017152409720754177
16
Letitia James, Facebook, 1:18 (July 19, 2018) (emphasis added),
https://m.facebook.com/LetitiaJamesforNY/videos/203059860348974.
17
Hunter Walker, New York Race Could Spark New Trump Investigation, Yahoo News, Aug. 6, 2018,
https://yhoo.it/36yLzwT .

8
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 9 of 30

39. On the same day, Defendant tweeted “I’ve got my eyes on Trump Tower,” 18 and

promised to “work with Mueller to make sure justice is served.” 19 Defendant assured that her

retaliation against Trump was “just getting started.” 20

40. On August 13, 2018, Defendant announced that she was “getting ready to ask

[Trump] some questions — under oath.” 21 Defendant emphasized again that “Trump should be

worried about three people: 1. Robert Mueller 2. Michael Cohen 3. Tish James.” 22

41. In what can only be construed as an attempt to threaten and intimidate Trump,

Defendant tweeted that Trump is “running out of time,” and warned him that she would

immediately investigate him and his “cronies” when she took office. 23

42. Defendant issued a similar threat on August 22, 2018, when she said, among other

things, that Trump “should be scared” about her upcoming term. 24

43. On September 1, 2018, Defendant renewed her commitment to “take on [Trump]

& his business in New York.” 25 Her statement about Trump’s “business in New York” was

undeniably a reference to the Trump Organization.

44. On September 10, 2018, Defendant vowed to “stand up” to Trump. 26

45. Later that evening, Defendant declared once more that she was “just getting started”

in “tak[ing] on” Trump. 27

18
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (Aug. 6, 2018, 3:47 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3lmNPvs
19
id., (Aug. 6, 2018, 5:34 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3iCnSpM
20
Id.
21
Id., (Aug. 13, 2018, 11:37 AM ET) https://bit.ly/2HTj1Un.
22
Id.
23
Id., (Aug. 21, 2018, 1:01 PM ET) https://bit.ly/33Dqi3j. (“Just wait until I’m in the Attorney General’s office.”)
24
Id., (Aug. 22, 2018, 9:09 AM ET) https://bit.ly/3nq7OuM.
25
Id., (Sept. 1, 2018, 10:44 AM ET) https://bit.ly/3ll6VBQ.
26
Id., (Sept. 10, 2018, 7:36 AM ET) https://bit.ly/34CaE7E.
27
Id., (Sept. 10, 2018, 10:38 PM ET) https://bit.ly/34yQkE3.

9
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 10 of 30

46. In a troubling September 12, 2018 video, released during the Democratic primary,

Defendant pledged that she would “never be afraid to challenge this illegitimate president.” 28

47. In the very same video, Defendant baselessly accused Trump of a slew of crimes,

including obstruction of justice and laundering money from foreign governments, and demanded

that he be indicted. 29 Defendant promised to “join with law enforcement and other attorney

generals across this nation in removing this President from office.” 30 Mirroring her previous

allegations, Defendant’s call for Trump to be investigated was devoid of both fact and merit.

Nevertheless, Defendant concluded the video by promising that “the days of Donald Trump are

coming to an end.” 31

48. On the same day, Defendant reiterated her warrantless claim that Trump is an

“illegitimate president” and promised once more to “fight back” against Trump if New Yorkers

voted for her. 32

49. On September 13, 2018, Defendant secured her party’s nomination for Attorney

General. In her victory speech, Defendant proudly admitted that her campaign was only ever

premised on “that man in the White House who can’t go a day without threatening our fundamental

rights.” 33

50. On the same day, Defendant tweeted a quote from Congresswoman Maxine Waters,

in which Waters stated that “New York has a chance to elect an attorney general who will

investigate Trump.” 34 Defendant followed up on that theme a few hours later, accusing Trump of

28
NowThis News, YouTube, https://bit.ly/34zB7Tj.
29
Id.
30
Id. (emphasis added).
31
Id.
32
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (Sept. 12, 2018, 1:51 PM ET) https://bit.ly/3ln1Ysa.
33
Jeffrey C. Mays, Letitia James Makes History by Winning Attorney General Primary in New York, The New York
Times, September 13, 2018, https://nyti.ms/3IXFkU9
34
Id., (Sept. 13, 2018, 11:04 AM ET) https://bit.ly/2GzxRix.

10
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 11 of 30

being “an illegitimate president” and saying that she was “running for Attorney General so [she

could] standup to” Trump. 35

51. On October 3, 2018, Defendant tweeted that Trump’s “days of defrauding

Americans are coming to an end” and called upon “any agency with jurisdiction–from the IRS to

the NY AG–to follow the facts wherever they may lead.” 36

III. As Attorney General, Defendant Repeatedly Made and Continues to Make Public
Pronouncements of Wrongdoing by Trump and the Trump Organization
Notwithstanding Investigations of Such Wrongdoing Were/Are Not Complete or
Even Commenced.

52. On November 6, 2018, Defendant was elected Attorney General of the State of New

York. During her victory speech, she made a solemn promise to “shin[e] a bright light into every

dark corner of [Trump’s] real estate holdings.” 37

53. Immediately following her election to the Office of Attorney General of the State

of New York, Defendant—with no evidentiary or investigatory basis—laid bare her intent to

employ the resources and authority of her elected office to impermissibly target the President of

the United States, the political opponent on whom she had staked her campaign for election.

54. The day after her election, Defendant prejudged the outcome of her promised

investigation – before taking office, before establishing a legal predicate for such an investigation,

and before gathering any facts or requesting even a single document from Trump.

55. In an interview with political activist and former Democratic candidate for New

York City Council Adina Sash, Defendant was asked if she planned to “sue [Trump and the Trump

35
Id., (Sept. 13, 2018, 4:41 PM ET) https://bit.ly/36Ff14i.
36
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter (October 3, 2018) https://bit.ly/3pf1ol2
37
Jeffrey C. Mays, Breaking Barriers, Letitia James is Elected New York Attorney General, The New York Times,
November 6, 2018, https://nyti.ms/3IXFkU9

11
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 12 of 30

Organization].” 38 Defendant laughingly responded “[o]h, we’re definitely going to sue him.

We’re going to be a real pain in the ass. He’s going to know my name personally.” 39

56. On December 12, 2018, during an NBC News interview given eighteen days before

assuming office, Defendant vowed to “use every area of the law to investigate President Trump

and his businesses transactions and that of his family as well.” 40 Defendant did not curtail her

persecution of Trump and his family, however, promising to also investigate “anyone in [Trump’s]

orbit.” 41

57. Defendant’s intent to weaponize her office to target Plaintiffs was readily apparent

to even the most casual observer of her campaign and during the transition period after her

election. 42

58. Defendant’s open threats and promises to investigate Trump were so appalling that

even members of her party condemned them as unlawful.

59. Daniel Goldman, the Democratic Party’s counsel for the impeachment process

against Trump and a former Assistant United States Attorney in Manhattan, warned that

Defendant’s statements “give the appearance of an individualized political vendetta . . . It’s

essential that prosecutors maintain their neutrality and an objective view of the facts and the

38
Adina Sash (@FlatBushGirl), Instagram (Nov. 7, 2018) https://bit.ly/34zVOhE
39
Id.
40
Chris Mills Rodrigo, Incoming New York AG: ‘We Will Use Every Area of the Law to Investigate President Trump’,
The Hill, Dec. 12, 2018, 9:20 AM ET, https://bit.ly/33CybpG .
41
Id.
42
See, e.g., Jeffery C. Mays, N.Y.’s Attorney General Is Targeting Trump. Will Judges See a ‘Political Vendetta?’,
The New York Times, Dec. 31, 2018, https://nyti.ms/2GsA2oa (“Letitia James, the incoming New York attorney
general, has made no secret of how she feels about President Trump. She calls him an ‘illegitimate president.’ She
says her decision to run for attorney general was largely ‘about that man in the White House who can’t go a day
without threatening our fundamental rights.’”).

12
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 13 of 30

evidence, no matter the politics involved.” 43 By abandoning even the pretext of such neutrality,

Defendant “[went] too far in allowing politics to shape her agenda.” 44

60. The intraparty criticisms of Defendant’s conduct speak for themselves. However,

the reactions of attorneys within Defendant’s own office are even more compelling. Numerous

officials within the New York Attorney General’s office—who themselves had frequently litigated

against Plaintiffs under Defendant’s predecessors—examined Defendant’s actions with

“apprehension and uneasiness.” 45 Those officials left Defendant’s office after her election. 46

61. In sum, Defendant promised to investigate Trump dozens of times over seven

months, all before she ever assumed office or was privy to a single fact known to law enforcement.

Defendant did not state a legal or factual basis for such promises. She could not. After all, her

knowledge of Trump’s business activities was no greater than that of any other citizen. Rather,

her only justification for the forthcoming investigation was her political opposition to Trump.

62. It is clear that Defendant lacked any basis to investigate Trump, but she did so

anyway, and in doing so, she abandoned all pretenses of acting with impartiality and in accordance

with prosecutorial standards.

63. Defendant took the oath of office as Attorney General of New York on January 1,

2019. In so doing, Defendant swore to support the Constitution of the United States and faithfully

discharge the duties of Attorney General.

64. Defendant immediately disregarded that oath, dismissing any doubt that her

fixation on investigating Trump was idle campaign talk.

43
Id.
44
Id.
45
Id.
46
Id.

13
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 14 of 30

65. On January 3, 2019, three days after she was sworn in as Attorney General,

Defendant told CNN that she would “ensure that the man currently occupying the Oval Office is

held accountable to [sic] any and everything he has done.” 47

66. Defendant further stated that she would “never be afraid to challenge this

illegitimate president” and that investigating Trump “fuels [her] soul.” 48

67. On March 11, 2019, Defendant employed the authority and vast array of resources

of the Office of the Attorney General to formally open an investigation of the Trump Organization

and issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Investors Bank “for records relating to the financing

of four major Trump Organization projects.” 49

68. The subpoenas were “a culmination of months of threats from [Defendant] that she

would aggressively investigate Mr. Trump” and, by extension, the Trump Organization. 50

69. Defendant has claimed that she relied upon testimony given by Michael Cohen

(“Cohen”) before Congress as grounds for initiating the investigation of Plaintiffs. 51

70. Defendant is well-aware that, based on his prior history, Cohen is an unreliable

source whose sworn testimony lacks any semblance of credibility:

a. Cohen was previously convicted of committing a federal offense in connection with

the precise act that Defendant claims to have relied upon – testifying before

Congress.

47
Athena Jones, New NY Attorney General Vows to Target Trump, CNN.com, Jan. 3, 2019, https://cnn.it/3d48gu1 .
48
Id.
49
William K. Rashbaum & Danny Hakim, New York Attorney General Opens Investigation of Trump Projects, The
New York Times, Mar. 11, 2019, https://nyti.ms/2GKALRa.
50
Id.
51
First Affirmation of Matthew Colangelo in Support of the Office of the Attorney General’s Order to Show Cause
to Compel Compliance with Investigatory Subpoenas, p. 23, People of the State of New York v. Trump
Organization, LLC, Index No. 451685/2020.

14
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 15 of 30

b. In particular, on November 29, 2018, Cohen was convicted of making false

statements to Congress in violation of 18 USC § 1001(a)(2) as well as seven

additional federal felonies which “each involved deception.” 52

c. In the words of presiding district court judge William H. Pauley III, Cohen was

guilty of a “veritable smorgasbord of fraudulent conduct.” 53

d. In connection with Cohen’s consolidated sentencing proceedings, the United States

of America submitted two scathing sentencing memoranda, each dated December

7, 2018, one signed by the Special Counsel’s Office (SCO) and another by the

United States Attorneys’ Office (USAO).

e. In the SCO’s Sentencing Memorandum, which was signed by Special Counsel

Robert S. Mueller and focused on Cohen’s false statements to Congress, Mueller

detailed how Cohen’s lies were “deliberate and premeditated” and part of a

“deliberate effort to use his lies as a way to set the tone and shape the course of the

hearings in an effort to stymie the inquiries.” 54

f. In the USAO’s Sentencing Memorandum, which was signed by Acting United

States Attorney Robert Khuzami and focused more generally on Cohen’s character

and credibility, Khuzami described Cohen as “a man who knowingly sought to

undermine core institutions of our democracy” 55 and “repeatedly used his power

and influence for deceptive ends” by engaging in “extensive, deliberate, and serious

52
Sentencing Tr. at 31:10-15, United States v. Cohen, No. 18 Cr. 602 (WHP) (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 12, 2018).
53
Id.
54
SCO Sentencing Memorandum at 2, United States v. Cohen, No. 18 Cr. 850 (WHP) (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 7, 2018).
55
USAO Sentencing Memorandum at 27, United States v. Cohen, No. 18 Cr. 602 (WHP) (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 7, 2018).

15
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 16 of 30

criminal conduct” which was “motivated by personal greed and ambition” and

consistent with a “pattern of deception that permeated his professional life.” 56

g. Cohen, formerly an attorney at law, was eventually disbarred for his fraudulent and

deceitful misconduct. 57

h. Cohen has also publicly admitted that his cooperation with law enforcement

officials has, at times, been coerced and given under duress. For example, on

November 28, 2021, in discussing his cooperation with federal authorities, Cohen

stated “[t]he threat against me was that they were going to file an 85-page

indictment that was going to include my wife. They were going to say that she was

a co-conspirator […] which is absolutely non-sensical. […] There was no chance

in the world that I was going to put her at risk with these animals.” 58

71. Defendant further carried out her intent to prosecute “anyone in Trump’s orbit” by

issuing subpoenas to the Eric Trump Foundation (now doing business as “Curetivity”) (the

“Foundation”) for its charitable donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a leading

cancer center in Memphis, Tennessee.

72. Eric Trump has helped raise over $16.3 million dollars for St. Jude over the span

of a decade, yet Defendant felt it was necessary to scrutinize funds that were donated to provide

medical care to children in need.

73. After the Foundation complied with Defendant’s request, Defendant’s investigation

ultimately led nowhere, another indication of Defendant’s pernicious intent in probing a charitable

donation tangentially tied to Plaintiffs.

56
Id. at 1-2.
57
See generally Matter of Cohen, 2019 NY Slip Op 01381 (Feb. 26, 2019)
58
NBC News, Meet The Press, November 28, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6gEK6hExxI.

16
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 17 of 30

74. On April 23, 2019, Defendant repeated her prior, unfounded allegation that Trump

and the Trump Organization were engaged in criminal activity: “We need to focus on Donald

Trump and his abuses . . . we need to follow his money . . . we need to find out where he’s laundered

money . . . all of those transactions have happened here in New York City.” 59

75. After nearly three years of formal investigation, five years of targeted public

attacks, and millions of dollars and thousands of hours spent, it is clear that neither Trump nor any

of his companies have ever laundered money. Not one dollar. Defendant fabricated the allegations

out of thin air, and this is prima facie evidence of her unconstitutional actions in her official

capacity.

76. By predetermining the outcome of her investigation into the Trump Organization

and leveling conclusory allegations of wrongdoing against it, Defendant exposed—yet again—

that her investigation was merely a pretext for achieving her overall goal of harassing the Trump

Organization due to Trump’s ownership of it.

77. Openly flouting her duty to remain neutral in her public comments on an ongoing

investigation, Defendant continued to disparage Trump and the Trump Organization throughout

the summer of 2019.

78. On July 23, 2019, Defendant tweeted that Trump “has spent his career hiding

behind lawsuits” and promised to “vigorously fight” him. 60

79. On September 30, 2019, Defendant accused Trump of waging a “cruel crusade

against . . . invaluable members of our society.” 61

59
MSNBC, New York Attorney General on Plan to Thwart Trump Pardons, YouTube, April 23, 2019,
https://bit.ly/33z1WaG.
60
Letitia James (@NewYorkStateAG) Twitter, July 23, 2019, 3:36 PM ET, https://bit.ly/2GEQykG.
61
Letitia James (@NewYorkStateAG), Twitter, Sep. 30, 2019, 10:50 AM ET, https://bit.ly/30HC0b7 .

17
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 18 of 30

80. On December 10, 2019, Defendant accused Trump of “abuse of power.” 62

81. Two and a half weeks later, she served a subpoena duces tecum on Trump, the

Trump Organization’s corporate officers, and third parties for information and testimony about a

wide range of properties owned by Trump across the country.

82. On January 16, 2020, Defendant retweeted the following statement: “Let’s be clear

— Donald Trump has never known what it’s like to struggle, let alone for food, but he has no

problem stripping protections for those who do. Luckily we have allies like [Defendant] who will

lead the legal fights against these unfair and immoral attacks on the poor.”

83. On February 21, 2020, Defendant alleged that Trump “doesn’t believe in the rights

and liberties of marginalized and vulnerable populations.” 63

84. On July 24, 2020, Defendant announced her intention to sue the Trump

Administration for the purported unlawful practice of excluding undocumented immigrants in the

2020 census (a case which was ultimately thrown out by the Supreme Court). 64 In her tweet,

Defendant boasted “We beat the president before in court, and we will beat him again.” 65

85. Under Defendant’s leadership, the Office of the Attorney General has been reduced

to nothing more than the right arm of the Democratic party. This was made abundantly clear when

Defendant chose to file a motion to compel Eric Trump’s deposition on August 24, 2020, which

was conveniently filed on the first day of the Republican National Convention. The timing of this

Motion further cements Defendant’s transparent effort to further her own political agenda. 66

62
Letitia James (@NewYorkStateAG), Twitter, Dec. 10, 2019, 1:21 PM ET, https://bit.ly/2F5RcXV .
63
WBLS 1075 NYC, YouTube, 1st Black Person Elected Attorney General of NY, Letitia James, Talks Career &
Has Message for Trump, Feb. 21, 2020, https://bit.ly/3jCo1KZ .
64
U.S. Supreme Court throws out challenge to Trump census immigrant plan, December 18, 2020
https://reut.rs/3EbBrr1
65
Letitia James (@NewYorkStateAG), Twitter, July 24, 2020, 3:48 PM ET,
https://twitter.com/NewYorkStateAG/status/1286750166041735169
66
New York attorney general files legal action against Trump Organization, revealing state investigation into the
company’s financial dealings, The Washington Post, August 24, 2020, https://wapo.st/3p7uOlb.

18
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 19 of 30

86. Upon information and belief, she intentionally leaked this information on the

commencement of the Republican National Convention, with the sole intention of disrupting the

convention and generating publicity for herself.

87. On May 18, 2021, Defendant compounded her efforts to prosecute Trump by

relentlessly pushing New York County District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, into a criminal

investigation of the Trump Organization. 67 By doing so, Defendant is inappropriately heading

parallel civil and criminal probes into Plaintiffs’ alleged unlawful business practices as a further

attempt to erode their constitutional rights.

88. Despite Defendant’s biased and inflammatory statements, and the unconstitutional

nature and scope of the civil investigation, Plaintiffs produced over 8 million pages of documents

in response to Defendant’s subpoenas.

89. Defendant’s campaign of harassing Plaintiffs has been publicly condemned by

other attorney generals.

90. For example, Jeff Landry, Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, has described

Defendant’s investigations as “anti-Trump fishing expeditions,” which are a “gross abuse of her

office.” 68 As AG Landry has explained: “[w]hile these actions may be popular with a liberal base

that doesn’t respect the rule of law, they politicize the office of attorney general and create an

unrealistic and shameful public perception of how a state attorney general operates. James’ conduct

disgraces all of us who are privileged to bear the title of attorney general.” 69

67
Defendant cross-designated two attorneys from her office to assist in the New York County DA’s criminal probe.
New York AG has 2 lawyers working with DA on Trump Probe, https://bit.ly/3pcCT8l; see also New York’s Attorney
General Joins Criminal Inquiry Into Trump Organization, New York Times, May 18, 2021. https://nyti.ms/3sjpEEP
68
See, e.g., Jeff Landry, Tish James’ Endless Anti-Trump Suits Betray the AG’s Mission, The New York Post, Sept.
22, 2020, 8:21 PM ET https://bit.ly/2Sx1mnw.
69
Id.

19
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 20 of 30

91. On October 29, 2021, Defendant declared her candidacy for Governor of New York

State.

92. In her announcement video, she boasted that she “sued the Trump Administration

76 times, but who is counting?” 70 In making this statement, Defendant signaled that she had

planned to make ‘taking on Trump’ the centerpiece of yet another campaign.

93. Amid poor polling numbers, on December 9, 2021, Defendant announced that she

is suspending her campaign for Governor of New York and will instead run for re-election as

Attorney General. 71

94. In a statement that accompanied her withdrawal, she stated “I have come to the

conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general. There are a number of important

investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job. I am running for re-

election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.” 72

95. Defendant left little to no doubt that her involvement in the Trump investigation

was the primary reason she intended to stay on as Attorney General.

96. On December 15, 2021, Defendant appeared on The View to discuss the suspension

of her gubernatorial campaign and the status of her ongoing investigations. 73

97. When asked what led to her decision to exit the race, Defendant explained that she

has “unfinished businesses,” among them being her “investigations into the Trump Organization

70
Letitia James (@TishJames), Twitter, October 29, 2021, 1:31 PM ET.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/29/nyregion/letitia-james-governor.html
71
Carl Campanile, Kathy Hochul Hold Solid Lead Over Letitia James In NY Governor Poll, The New York Post,
November 28, 2021, 6:23 PM ET, https://nypost.com/2021/11/28/hochul-holds-solid-lead-over-james-in-ny-
governor-poll.
72
N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James exits governor's race, will run for re-election, NBC News, December 9,
2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/n-y-attorney-general-letitia-james-exits-governor-s-race-
n1285671.
73
The View, Letitia James Speaks To 'The View' Exclusively On Suspending Run For Governor, YouTube,
December 14, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK56ZH8Pvt8 .

20
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 21 of 30

and into certain individuals.” Joy Behar, a fanatical Trump critic, then quipped “you believe in

loyalty, I believe in putting Trump in jail.” Behar’s comment was met by Defendant’s exuberant

laughter. Behar then followed up and stated “some people think that you dropped out of the

Governor’s race because you are about to drop a bombshell on us in your civil investigations into

Trump’s business practices. There are reports that you are trying to depose Trump under oath next

month, tell me that’s true.” Defendant put her personal disdain for Trump on full display by

responding to Behar’s comment with laughter. 74

98. When Defendant was asked what would happen if Trump chose not to comply with

Defendant’s deposition notice. Defendant then stated “Joy, you know I love you right? I do, I do,

I do, so you know I can’t admit or deny (laughter). I cannot admit and/or deny those allegations

in the preface of your question. I can just say … we have conducted a civil investigation into the

Trump Organization. We also have a parallel investigation, a criminal investigation.” 75

99. In a telling admission of her own motivations, when further commenting on her

decision to stay on as Attorney General, she stated “I’d rather be turning red to blue.” 76 Defendant

made it clear that she prioritizes advancing her personal and political mission over the impartial

enforcement of the law.

100. Defendant’s endless public promises to investigate Plaintiffs, her open

disparagement of Plaintiffs, her accusations that Plaintiffs broke the law despite admitting she

possessed no evidence to substantiate those allegations, and her aggressive and wide-sweeping

investigation into Plaintiffs’ business activities all lead to only one reasonable conclusion:

Defendant prioritized her “desire to pound an opponent into oblivion” over her “obligations” as

74
Id.
75
Id.
76
The View, New York AG Letitia James Plans to Follow Gov. Newsom’s Anti-Gun Law Model, YouTube,
December 14, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNyb95YDdB0 .

21
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 22 of 30

New York’s highest law enforcement officer to enforce the law equally without regard to citizens’

political opinions.77

101. Absent judicial relief, James will continue to violate Plaintiffs’ rights in an

unconstitutional manner and Plaintiffs will suffer imminent and irreparable harms.

COUNT I
VIOLATION OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT
42 U.S.C. § 1983

102. Plaintiffs re-assert and re-allege the allegations contained within the preceding

paragraphs as if set forth at length herein.

103. The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, also known as the

Due Process Clause, guarantees that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,

without due process of law.” U.S. Const. amend. XIV.

104. An action for violation of constitutional rights, such as those afforded under the

Fourteenth Amendment, may be brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which states that “[e]very

person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State […],

subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the

jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the

[United States] Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit

in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.”

105. Defendant maliciously weaponized the state police power of the Attorney General

by commencing and continuing baseless investigations and fishing expeditions against Plaintiffs.

106. Defendant commenced the investigations against Plaintiffs in bad faith and without

a legally sufficient basis.

77
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas Co., 962 F.2d at 48.

22
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 23 of 30

107. Defendant knew that her investigations were unsupported, unjustified, and

unfounded in fact or in law.

108. Defendant’s actions were motivated by an improper purpose, namely her malice,

political animus, and a desire to harass, intimidate, threaten, oppress, coerce, injure and/or retaliate

against Trump, and his business, the Trump Organization, for his political views and his official

acts as president.

109. Defendant’s improper public comments concerning her open investigations into

Plaintiffs—often prejudging Plaintiffs’ guilt without respect for the presumption of innocence—

are a further example of Defendant’s bias, prejudice, and callous indifference for due process of

the law.

110. Defendant’s flagrant misuse of state investigatory powers contravened Plaintiffs’

constitutional rights and deprived them of life, liberty, and/or property without due process of law.

111. At all relevant times, Defendant was acting in an official capacity and under the

pretense and color of the law.

112. Defendant’s actions, including but not limited to her abuse of criminal and civil

process, the commencement of arbitrary fishing expeditions, and collective misconduct in

targeting Plaintiffs in bad faith and solely for political purposes, deprived Plaintiffs of due process

of law and impermissibly infringed upon their constitutional rights.

113. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiffs have suffered,

and will continue to suffer, significant, imminent and irreparable harm in the form of deprivation

of their constitutionally protected rights, privileges, and immunities afforded under the Fourteenth

Amendment, as secured by 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

23
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 24 of 30

114. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will continue to suffer irrevocable loss and

irreparable harm as a result of Defendant’s deprivation of their constitutional rights.

115. In addition to the declaratory and injunctive relief sought herein, Plaintiffs are also

entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.

COUNT II
VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT
42 U.S.C. § 1983

116. Plaintiffs re-assert and re-allege the allegations contained within the preceding

paragraphs as if set forth at length herein.

117. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, enforceable pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983, guarantees the right to freedom of speech. U.S. Const. amend. I.

118. The United States Supreme Court has recognized that political speech is the most

protected form of speech under the First Amendment.

119. Trump, the Forty-Fifth President of the United States, is a prominent political figure

and member of the Republican Party.

120. Trump’s political views, beliefs, and affiliations, and those acts he has taken in

furtherance of his political career, are a form of political speech subject to constitutional protection

under the First Amendment.

121. Defendant is a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party, having served as a

member of the party in public office since at least 2005 and even announcing in October 2021 that

she intended to run for the office of Governor of New York in the 2022 Democratic Primary.

122. As described in the preceding paragraphs, Defendant has made many public

statements expressing her radical contempt for Trump and his political views.

24
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 25 of 30

123. As a member of the Democratic Party, Defendant has served as an outspoken critic

of Trump throughout the entirety of his presidency.

124. Defendant’s conduct in commencing and continuing baseless investigations and

fishing expeditions against Plaintiffs was intended to stifle Plaintiffs’ free speech because

Defendant disfavors the political ideologies, perspectives, opinions and/or views held by Trump.

125. Defendant’s actions were further motivated by an improper purpose, namely a

desire to harass, intimidate, threaten, oppress, coerce, and injure Plaintiffs in retaliation for

Trump’s political views and his official acts as President.

126. Defendant’s attempts to silence Plaintiffs’ free speech were both discriminatory and

retaliatory in nature.

127. At all relevant times, Defendant was acting under the pretense and color of the law.

128. Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights have been, and continue to be, wrongfully

infringed upon by way of Defendant’s deployment of state power to discriminate against, retaliate

against and otherwise suppress the rights of free speech of Trump and his business, the Trump

Organization, based on Trump’s political ideologies, perspectives, opinions and/or views and his

official acts as President.

129. Defendant caused the issuance of multiple subpoenas and commenced a pretextual

investigations against Plaintiffs based entirely upon her own personal disagreement, and the

disagreement of the Democratic party, with Trump’s political speech and the political position of

the Trump Organization, for the sole purpose of intimidating and harassing Plaintiffs and to

suppress Plaintiff’s political views and associated speech and political action.

130. Defendant’s conduct constitutes impermissible viewpoint discrimination against

Plaintiffs and/or a retaliatory violation of Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.

25
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 26 of 30

131. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiffs have suffered,

and will continue to suffer, significant, imminent and irreparable harm in the form of deprivation

of their constitutionally protected rights, privileges, and immunities afforded under the First

Amendment, as secured by 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

132. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will continue to suffer irrevocable loss and

irreparable harm as a result of Defendant’s deprivation of their constitutional rights.

133. In addition to the declaratory and injunctive relief sought herein, Plaintiffs are also

entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.

COUNT III
VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT
42 U.S.C. § 1983

134. Plaintiffs re-assert and re-allege the allegations contained within the preceding

paragraphs as if set forth at length herein.

135. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, enforceable pursuant to

42 U.S.C. § 1983, guarantees “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,

and affects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” U.S. Const. amend. IV.

136. Defendant issued numerous overbroad, overreaching and irrelevant subpoenas to

Plaintiffs without any legally sufficient or justifiable reason for doing so.

137. The subpoenas were not in any way limited in scope, relevant in purpose, or specific

in directive.

138. Defendant was aware that there was no justifiable legal or factual basis for the

issuance of the subpoenas; she was purposefully engaging in an arbitrary fishing expedition against

Plaintiffs.

26
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 27 of 30

139. Defendant’s actions were motivated by an improper purpose, namely her desire to

harass, intimidate, threaten, oppress, coerce, and injure Plaintiffs.

140. At all relevant times, Defendant was acting under the pretense and color of the law.

141. The subpoenas issued by Defendant imposed an undue burden on Plaintiffs and

violated their Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

142. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiffs have suffered,

and will continue to suffer, significant, imminent and irreparable harm in the form of deprivation

of their constitutionally protected rights, privileges, and immunities afforded under the Fourth

Amendment, as secured by 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

143. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will continue to suffer irrevocable loss and

irreparable harm as a result of Defendant’s deprivation of their constitutional rights.

144. In addition to the declaratory and injunctive relief sought herein, Plaintiffs are also

entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.

COUNT IV
ABUSE OF PROCESS

145. Plaintiffs re-assert and re-allege the allegations contained within the preceding

paragraphs as if set forth at length herein.

146. Defendant initiated regularly issued criminal and civil processes, in the form of

subpoenas, against Plaintiffs.

147. By issuing the above-mentioned subpoenas, Defendant intended to compel Trump

to discontinue his political career, to hinder his bid for re-election in the 2020 Presidential Election,

and/or to compel Plaintiffs to cease business operations in the State of New York.

148. Through her wrongful, malicious, and egregious actions, Defendant sought to harm

Plaintiffs without excuse or justification.

27
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 28 of 30

149. Defendant is, and at relevant all times was, aware that her office’s investigations

were unsupported, unjustified, and unfounded in fact or in law.

150. Defendant was aware that her office’s investigations were unsupported, unjustified,

and unfounded in fact or in law.

151. Defendant’s actions were motivated by malice, political animus, and a desire to

harass, intimidate, threaten, oppress, coerce, injure and/or retaliate against Trump and his business,

the Trump Organization.

152. Defendant weaponized the legal process against Plaintiffs in a perverted manner

for the purpose of obtaining inappropriate collateral objectives outside the legitimate ends of the

process:

a. Defendant intended to obtain a collateral advantage for herself inasmuch as

Defendant sought to promote her public image, to advance her political career, and

to increase her likelihood of being re-elected as New York Attorney General and/or

elected as Governor of the State of New York.

b. Defendant also intended to obtain a collateral detriment to Plaintiffs inasmuch as

Defendant sought to tarnish Trump’s reputation personally, professionally and

politically, in order to, among other things, diminish Trump’s likelihood of winning

the 2020 Presidential Election, bring about the end of Trump’s political career, and

injure Plaintiffs’ business relations in the State of New York.

153. At all relevant times, Defendant was acting in her official capacity and under the

pretense and color of the law.

154. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will continue to suffer irrevocable loss and

irreparable harm as a result of Defendant’s malicious abuse of process.

28
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 29 of 30

155. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s actions, Plaintiffs have suffered

and will continue to suffer, significant, imminent and irreparable harm, deprivation of their rights

under state law, and special damages in the form of costs of defense and attorneys fees incurred in

defending against Defendant’s baseless investigations.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment be awarded in their favor as follows:

a. For a declaratory judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202 declaring that

Defendant has violated Plaintiffs’ rights, privileges and immunities under the

First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution;

b. For a declaratory judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202 declaring that

Defendant’s investigations constitute impermissible state action and an abuse of

process that harness state police power to retaliate against, injure and harass a

political opponent in violation of the Unites States Constitution, federal law,

state law, and/or common law;

c. For a preliminary and permanent injunction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a), 42

U.S.C. § 1983, Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule

65.1 requiring Defendant to immediately cease or, at a minimum, appropriately

limit all ongoing investigations of Plaintiffs pending resolution of this action;

d. For a preliminary and permanent injunction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a), 42

U.S.C. § 1983, Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule

65.1 granting Plaintiffs relief from Defendant’s ongoing, unbounded

investigations and enjoining her from being involved in any manner in any civil

or criminal actions against Plaintiffs;

29
 Case 5:00-at-99999 Document 1 Filed 12/20/21 Page 30 of 30

e. For such other declaratory and/or injunctive relief that Plaintiffs are entitled;

f. For an award for Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements; and

g. For such other relief as the Court deems equitable, just, and proper.

JURY DEMAND
Plaintiffs hereby requests a trial by jury of any issue so triable as of right pursuant to Rule

38(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Dated: December 20, 2021

New York, New York ___________________________________
Alina Habba, Esq.
HABBA MADAIO & ASSOCIATES LLP
1430 U.S. Highway 206, Suite 240
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
-and-
112 West 34th Street, 17th & 18th Floors
New York, New York 10120
Telephone: (908) 869-1188
Facsimile: (908) 450-1881
E-mail: [email protected]
Attorneys for Plaintiffs,
Donald J. Trump and Trump Organization LLC

30