Appeals Court Tosses Trump’s $500 Million Civil Penalty in Business Fraud Case

Contact Your Elected Officials

A judge said the penalty violated the eighth amendment’s prohibition on excessive fines.

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled against Trump in February 2024, leaving him with a judgment exceeding $460 million with interest accruing. Trump posted a bond of $175 million, with the appeals process playing out in the New York Appellate Division, First Judicial Department.

As a whole, the appeals court ultimately affirmed the judgment from Engoron, but the panel of five judges was divided, with three separate opinions, including partial dissents. The court also allowed a path forward for another appeal before New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.

Two of the judges–Moulton and Justice Dianne Renwick–said they thought Attorney General Letitia James “acted well within her lawful power in bringing this action, and that she vindicated a public interest in doing so.” Both, however, disagreed with the high penalty.

Justice David Friedman was more critical of the Supreme Court’s ruling and James’s action, accusing her of being interested in “political hygiene, ending with the derailment of President Trump’s political career and the destruction of his real estate business.”

He said that the court’s decision “unanimously derails the effort to destroy his business.”

In a post declaring “TOTAL VICTORY,” Trump said on Truth Social that he was “so honored by Justice David Friedman’s great words of wisdom, which should be read by everyone.”

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, who also represented Trump in his fraud trial, praised the appeals court ruling on social media.

“Today’s ruling by the New York appeals court is a resounding victory for President Trump and his company,” she said in a statement posted to X.

“The court struck down the outrageous and unlawful $464 million penalty, confirming what we have said from the beginning: the Attorney General’s case was politically motivated, legally baseless, and grossly excessive. President Trump won – and justice won with him.”

By Sam Dorman

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

A Few Fun Alternatives to the”Gory Stuff” at Halloween

Halloween has gone off the rails with gore through the decades.  But there are ways to enjoy the "scary stuff" without giving into darker, pagan alliances.  

Germany Stands To Lose & Poland To Gain From The EU’s Latest Energy Move

The US is geostrategically re-engineering Europe at Germany’s expense in order to facilitate Russia’s post-Ukraine containment.

EBT Serfs Threaten Violent Mass-Shoplifting Spree if Food Stamps Cut

The EBT serfs of the underclass may be in for a rough ride come November, when mommy government is slated to wean them off the teat of state.

The Real Reason Why the Left is Unhinged

Nine out of thirteen of the original states required you to be a Bible believing Christian to serve in government at the time of the founding.

The Sacrificial Lambs of the Riyadh Standup Scene

Which is the greater injustice: jailing political dissidents, or millions dead from pharma crimes with no accountability for those responsible?

ICE Tracker Planned by Democrats Could Endanger Agents, Bondi Says

AG Pam Bondi warned Democrats’ plan for an online platform tracking ICE in LA could put federal agents at risk of harassment or violence.

Trump Responds to Report He’s Seeking $230 Million From DOJ for Past Investigations

President Trump acknowledged the odd position he’s in given that the lawsuit was launched when he was a private citizen: ‘I’m suing myself.’

Food, Drink Companies Launch New Group in Bid for National Food Standards

PepsiCo and major food makers launched a coalition urging national standards for ingredient safety and labeling to replace inconsistent state regulations.

With CDC Reports on Hold Amid Shutdown, Private Groups to Launch Alternative

Private organizations are planning an alternative to the CDC’s weekly MMWR publication, sometimes known as the voice of the public health agency.

Trump Calls off Meeting With Putin, White House Says

White House says Secretary Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov had a productive call; no further meetings or Trump-Putin talks are planned soon.

President Signs Rare Earth Agreement With Australia’s PM

President Trump hosted Australian PM Albanese at the White House, where both leaders signed a new agreement on rare earth mineral cooperation.

Trump Says Insurrection Act Is ‘Strongest Power a President Has’

President Trump detailed plans to invoke the Insurrection Act to address rampant crime, calling it the “strongest power a president has.”

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central