The New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division ruled to throw out the substantial civil fraud penalty initially imposed on Trump after a trial in 2022. The original penalty of $355 million, which grew over time due to interest, was criticized by the judges as violating constitutional protections against excessive punishment. While writing in the 323-page ruling, Judge Peter Moulton expressed that the damage caused by Trump's actions did not warrant such a hefty financial penalty, labeling it as potentially "cataclysmic."
Despite the fine being revoked, the court upheld other non-financial penalties imposed by Justice Arthur Engoron, including barring Trump from serving as a corporate director or securing loans from banks in New York for three years. The Attorney General’s Office, led by Letitia James, maintains that the ruling still signifies a win, reinforcing that Trump and two of his sons are liable for fraud.
Trump celebrated the ruling on his social media platform, proclaiming it a "total victory" and dismissing the earlier ruling as a political attack against him and his business operations. The Attorney General's Office plans to appeal the decision regarding the fine's cancellation to New York's highest court.
The divisive ruling came after comprehensive legal discourse among the five judges, indicating disagreement on the merits of the original lawsuit. Judges acknowledged the gravity of the case, reflecting on the legal treatment awarded to a former president in a sprawling 300-page opinion. Commentators assert that the decision prolongs the legal battle surrounding this high-profile case involving the Trump family.
As the legal narrative continues to unfold, analysts emphasize that the appeals court's decision reinforces the gravity of Donald Trump's involvement in the alleged fraud while posing vital questions about the ramifications of holding a president accountable for civil wrongdoing.
Despite the fine being revoked, the court upheld other non-financial penalties imposed by Justice Arthur Engoron, including barring Trump from serving as a corporate director or securing loans from banks in New York for three years. The Attorney General’s Office, led by Letitia James, maintains that the ruling still signifies a win, reinforcing that Trump and two of his sons are liable for fraud.
Trump celebrated the ruling on his social media platform, proclaiming it a "total victory" and dismissing the earlier ruling as a political attack against him and his business operations. The Attorney General's Office plans to appeal the decision regarding the fine's cancellation to New York's highest court.
The divisive ruling came after comprehensive legal discourse among the five judges, indicating disagreement on the merits of the original lawsuit. Judges acknowledged the gravity of the case, reflecting on the legal treatment awarded to a former president in a sprawling 300-page opinion. Commentators assert that the decision prolongs the legal battle surrounding this high-profile case involving the Trump family.
As the legal narrative continues to unfold, analysts emphasize that the appeals court's decision reinforces the gravity of Donald Trump's involvement in the alleged fraud while posing vital questions about the ramifications of holding a president accountable for civil wrongdoing.
