Former President Donald Trump has filed an appeal against a $454 million civil fraud judgment in New York. The appeal challenges a judge's ruling that Trump lied about his wealth while building his real estate empire. The judgment, issued by Judge Arthur Engoron on February 16, found that Trump and his company deceived banks and insurers by inflating his wealth on financial statements.
The appeal, filed by Trump's lawyers, questions whether Judge Engoron made errors of law or fact and abused his discretion. The ruling imposes strict limitations on Trump's company, the Trump Organization, affecting its ability to conduct business.
If upheld, the judgment will require Trump to pay $454 million, including penalties and interest. Trump maintains that he is worth billions of dollars and has vowed to appeal the decision. Attorney General Letitia James has indicated that she may seek to seize some of Trump's assets if he is unable to pay.
Trump's legal team has criticized the judgment, alleging bias on the part of Judge Engoron and objecting to the legal basis of the lawsuit. The appeal is expected to focus on challenging the judge's decisions and the application of consumer-protection statutes in the case.
This appeal is one of several legal challenges facing Trump, including criminal charges in Georgia and Washington, D.C., related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump is also facing charges in Florida for hoarding classified documents and is scheduled to go on trial in Manhattan for falsifying business records.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Trump is actively seeking the Republican presidential nomination as he aims to return to the White House. The appeal ensures that the legal fight over his business practices will continue amid the presidential primary season.
