Former US President, Donald Trump is appealing a $454 million New York civil fraud judgment, challenging the ruling that he lied about his wealth while growing his real estate empire. The appeal was filed by Trump’s lawyers on February 26, asking the state’s mid-level appeals court to overturn the verdict and reverse the hefty penalties imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron.
The appeal questions whether Engoron made errors of law or fact and if he exceeded his jurisdiction. It did not address whether Trump intends to pause collection of the judgment while appealing. Engoron found that Trump and his company schemed to deceive banks and inflate his wealth on financial statements. The ruling also limits Trump’s business activities in New York.
If upheld, Trump will have to pay $454 million, with interest accruing at a rate of nearly $112,000 a day. Trump’s legal battle over his business practices is likely to continue as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination. His lawyers have accused Engoron of bias and have raised objections to the legal basis of the lawsuit brought by New York attorney general Letitia James.
Trump’s lawyers argue that some allegations are time-barred, but if the appeal is unsuccessful, Trump can take his case to the state’s highest court. In a separate case, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million for defaming E Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault in the 1990s. This adds to the $5 million awarded to Carroll in a related trial last year.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings