Judge opens ethics probe in Trump golf course court fight
What's new: Judge Ana Reyes plans to appoint a special master after lawyers gave late notice before more than 400 trees were cut.
A federal judge in Washington opened a formal inquiry Friday into whether government lawyers misled the court in a fight over President Donald Trump’s plan to close and rebuild East Potomac Golf Course. US District Judge Ana Reyes said she will examine whether Justice Department and agency attorneys made misrepresentations or violated ethics rules, and said she intends to appoint a special master to assist.
The dispute stems from a lawsuit by the DC Preservation League over redevelopment of the historic public course. Reyes has sharply criticized the administration after officials gave notice late on a holiday weekend before crews cut down more than 400 trees. The judge is also scrutinizing conflicting statements about whether the course would close Nov. 15 for a 15-month renovation.