Former President Trump is currently appealing a civil fraud ruling that requires him to pay more than $450 million.
On Monday, the legal team of the former president filed documents with a mid-level appeals court in New York, criticizing Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling in February as “draconian, unlawful, and unconstitutional.”
Christopher Kise, who is a lawyer representing Trump, has expressed his strong disapproval of what he calls “an outrageous miscarriage of justice.” According to Kise, this kind of behavior is completely un-American, and the only way to restore public confidence in the New York judicial system is to completely reverse this decision.
President Trump has responded to a judge who threatened to imprison him for violating a gag order. In his response, he quoted the famous words of Patrick Henry, saying, “Give me liberty or give me death.” The President’s statement shows his determination to defend his right to free speech and to speak out against what he perceives as injustice.
The judge’s threat to jail the President sparked controversy, with many questioning the legality and appropriateness of such a move. Trump’s response is a clear indication that he will not be intimidated and will continue to fight for his beliefs and the rights of all Americans.
During the last day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Former President Trump delivered a speech. The photo accompanying this article is credited to AP Photo/Paul Sancya.
According to Trump’s lawyers, the decision regarding the lawsuit provides Attorney General Letitia James of New York with an excessive amount of power, allowing her to target anybody she desires, including those who she considers her political opponents.
In a statement released by the attorney general’s office, they expressed their confidence in winning the case on appeal, attributing their success to both the facts and the law.
In February, Engoron made a ruling that held Trump and the other defendants accountable for engaging in consistent and repeated fraudulent activities. These fraudulent acts include falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, conspiring to falsify financial statements, committing insurance fraud, and conspiring to commit insurance fraud.
Donald Trump is seeking to have the judge in a New York civil fraud case recused. He has filed a motion accusing Judge Eileen Bransten of bias and prejudice against him. The case involves a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General’s office which accuses Trump of defrauding students who enrolled in his Trump University. Trump’s lawyers argue that Judge Bransten has a long-standing bias against him and has issued unfavorable rulings in the past. The motion also claims that the judge’s comments during a recent hearing showed her lack of impartiality.
At the New York State Supreme Court in New York City, Justice Arthur Engoron is presiding over the trial of the Trump Organization for civil fraud. Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images holds the copyright for the photo.
Judge Engoron made a ruling in September 2023, prior to the non-jury trial, that accused Trump and the Trump Organization of fraud. According to the ruling, they had deceived banks, insurers, and other parties by inflating the value of their assets and exaggerating their net worth on paperwork used for deals and financing.
Initially, a penalty of $355 million was imposed on Trump which has now increased due to the accruing interest of around $112,000 per day until the full amount is paid. Currently, the total penalty stands at approximately $470 million.
Trump’s team has criticized Engoron’s decisions as being “legally bereft” and “untethered to the law or to commercial reality.” This is due to the significant penalty of almost half a billion dollars, which is attached to the case, and the argument that some of the charges are beyond the statute of limitations.
Following the verdict in a civil fraud trial against former President Trump in New York City, Attorney General Letitia James addressed the press conference. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images captured her powerful words.
If Trump’s appeal is unsuccessful, he could be held accountable for the entire $454 million debt. This could result in the potential seizure of his real estate holdings by James.
The Appellate Division has the authority to uphold Engoron’s verdict, modify the punishment, or reverse the conviction.If Trump’s appeal falls through, he will have the option to request the Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in New York, to consider his case.
