One thing you do not do in court is lie to the judge. Telling a fib in a deposition is tantamount to lying to the Judge. Swearing to a falsehood in a statement is a lie in any court. Any party litigant must write this rule on his/her forehead: do not lie in any court aper or proceeding. Yet, it appears Mr. Trump has done exactly that.

In a civil lawsuit filed by the New York state Attorney General, Mr. Trump said under oath that he was not President of Trump Organization during his four years as President of the United States. Yet, in a separate, recent lawsuit filed by protesters who claimed Trump’s security guards assaulted them, Trump said he was an inactive president of Trump Organization and now he is active again.

Never was President of Trump Organization

But, in an Answer filed in the New York AG lawsuit, Trump said the opposite, that he denied the allegation that he was ever the inactive president of Trump Organization. Indeed, in that Answer, Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba claimed there was no such entity as Trump Organization. Which makes no sense. Donald Trump verified his statement, meaning he signed under oath before a Notary that it was true and correct. Yet, just last November, Ms. Habba announced herself to the same New York Court as a representative of Trump Organization and Donald Trump.

The New York AG, Letitia James, has filed a motion seeking sanctions for these incredibly inconsistent representations. The judge, Arthur Engoron, has already threatened to sanction the entire Trump family in that same lawsuit. And, just last week, Ms. Habba was sanctioned along with Mr. Trump by a Florida Federal judge.

It is Litigation 101 that you never lie in court or in writing. Do not lie, at all. But, if you do, do not do it in writing or in a deposition. Mr. Trump has clearly disregarded the advice of his lawyers, once again. See Daily Beast report here for more information.