(USNewsMag.com) – Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers have officially appealed New York Judge Arthur Engoron’s judgment that Trump and his co-defendants must pay $350 million following the conclusion of a civil fraud case launched by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
On top of the total $354 million judgment that includes interest, additional post-judgment interest will accrue every day that the former president fails to pay the judgment, amounting to $122,000 per diem. On Monday, February 26th, Trump appealed that decision.
James’ indictment also targeted two of Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the former CFO of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, all of whom also face massive fines, although not nearly as substantial as the former president’s judgment.
According to Engoron’s ruling on Friday, February 16th, all of the defendants committed “persistent and repeated fraud” and were liable for additional charges of filing false business records, false financial statements, and insurance fraud. The defendants were also hit with conspiracy charges. Aside from millions in damages, Engoron barred Trump from operating and conducting business in New York state for three years and barred both of his sons from serving as directors or officers for any corporations or legal entities in the state for two years.
In the ruling, Engoron blasted the former president for his behavior, accusing Trump of rarely responding to questions, frequently interjecting with “long, irrelevant speeches” regarding issues the judge said were “beyond the scope of the trial.” The judge said the former president’s credibility was “severely compromised” by evading direct answers to questions. Trump’s conduct outside the trial also upset Engoron, and the former president was hit with a gag order during the proceedings to prevent him from commenting on court personnel.
After the February 16th judgment, Trump’s legal team immediately indicated an appeal was imminent, accusing the New York court of ignoring the law and facts while simply signing off “on the Attorney General’s manifestly unjust political crusade.” Trump lawyer Christopher Kise noted that the court produced “not one witness,” “complaint,” or “victim” to support James’ claims.
Trump has maintained his innocence and has said that all of the legal battles against him are nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt to keep him out of the White House.
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