New York, New York – New York prosecutors have announced the Trump Organization is now under investigation in a "criminal" as well as a "civil capacity."

The announcement marks a significant increase in pressure in the probe surrounding the Trump Organization, a group of about 500 business entities owned by ex-president Donald Trump (74).

A spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James' office said on Tuesday, "We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature. We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA."

James' office has been investigating the Trump Organization's finances since 2019, The Hill reported. They are working together with Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance to determine whether the organization inflated property values to investors and whether it paid the proper amount of taxes.

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As part of the probe, Vance's office is currently reviewing Donald Trump's tax returns, among other documents.

James is also investigating the personal finance records of the Trump Organization's chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.

Trump has yet to comment on the announcement, but in the past, he has dismissed investigations as politically motivated.