Trump Files Appeal Against Judgment in Colossal New York Civil Fraud Litigation

Trump’s legal team has filed an appeal against a ruling by New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who found him responsible for over $350 million in damages in a civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The total amount Trump owes, including interest, is now over $354 million, with post-judgment interest accruing at nearly $112,000 per day.

The case also targeted Trump’s family and the Trump Organization. Engoron ruled that Trump and the defendants were liable for various charges including fraud, falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, conspiracy to falsify financial statements, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.

The judge criticized Trump’s behavior during the trial, stating that he rarely responded to questions and often went off-topic with long, irrelevant speeches. Trump’s attorney Christopher Kise reacted to the decision by teasing plans for an appeal, accusing the court of ignoring the law and the facts. James’ office had requested that Engoron ban Trump, his sons, and the other defendants from applying for loans in New York for five years, as well as blocking the Trump Organization from handling any real estate business for the same period.

In September, Engoron ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization had committed fraud by deceiving banks, insurers, and others through overvaluing assets and exaggerating net worth on paperwork used in deals and financing. During the trial, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the judge’s ruling, claiming that he was called a fraud without the judge knowing anything about him.