Donald Trump’s Lawyers Ask New York Court of Appeals to Overturn ‘Egregious’ Civil Fraud Verdict

NEW YORK — Recent victories in other legal cases, donald trump on Monday pressured a New York appeals court to overturn the Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Trial in New York which threatens to deplete his personal cash reserves as he campaigns to retake the White House.

In filings with the state’s mid-level appeals court, the former president’s lawyers said Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron’s Feb. 16 conclusion was that Trump lied to banks, insurance companies and others about his wealth it was “erroneous” and “flagrant.”

Trump’s appeal arguments echoed many of the complaints he voiced during his trial to television cameras outside the courtroom.

His lawyers argued that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit should have been promptly dismissed, the statute of limitations prohibited some allegations, that no one was harmed by Trump’s alleged fraud, and that James’ involvement in private business transactions threatens to take the business out of control. the state.

Trump’s lawyers say the Engoron ruling, if upheld, would grant James, a Democrat, “unlimited power to target anyone she desires, including her self-described political opponents,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a 116-page document. filed with the Appellate Division of the state’s trial court.

Engoron rejected many of the same objections when the case went to trial last year, at one point equating them to the plot of the movie “Groundhog Day” and fining some of Trump’s lawyers $7,500 each for “repetitive and frivolous” arguments. The Appellate Division previously denied Trump’s attempt to dismiss the case on statute of limitations and other reasons.

Trump posted a $175 million bond in April to suspend collection of the judgment and prevent James’ office from seizing his assets while he appeals. If he wins, he will not have to pay anything to the State and will receive back the money he invested now.

“Such an egregious miscarriage of justice is deeply un-American, and a complete reversal is the only means available to restore public confidence in the integrity of New York’s judicial system,” Trump lawyer Christopher Kise said in a statement. “legally deprived” and “detached from law or commercial reality”, and described the trial verdict as “draconian, illegal and unconstitutional”.

The Appellate Division said it will hear oral arguments in late September. Trump’s lawyers began their appeal days after Engoron’s decision and had until Monday to present written arguments.

James’ office said Trump and his lawyers are making unfounded arguments.

“We won this case based on the facts and the law, and we are confident we will prevail on appeal,” James’ office said in a statement.

Monday’s appeal request is the latest development in an important legal and political period for Trump, who last week accepted the Republican Party’s presidential nomination just days after he was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler. , Pennsylvania. One participant was killed and two others were injured.

On July 1, the Supreme Court sided with Trump in ruling that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts carried out during the mandatefurther delaying his election interference case in Washington, D.C. and causing his sentencing in his criminal silence case in New York to be delayed until September 18 while his lawyers fight to have that conviction overturned.

On July 15, a Florida federal judge rejected Trump’s confidential documents case, ruling that special prosecutor Jack Smith, who brought the charges, was illegally appointed by the Department of Justice. Smith is attractive.

In the civil fraud case, Engoron found that Trump, his company and top executives – including his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr. – plotted for years to inflate his wealth based on financial statements used to secure loans and do business. .

In addition to the heavy monetary penalty, the judge placed strict limitations on Trump’s company’s ability to do business. Among other consequences, Engoron placed the Trump Organization under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor for at least three years.

Trump’s appeal ensures that the legal fight over Trump’s business practices will persist into the fall and beyond.

If upheld, Engoron’s decision will force Trump to give up a considerable part of his fortune. The judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million in fines, but with interest the total grew to more than $470 million — including $16.8 million accrued since the verdict. The sum will rise by nearly $112,000 a day until he pays, unless the verdict is overturned.

Trump claims he is worth several billion dollars and testified last year that he had about $400 million in cash, as well as properties and other investments. James, a Democrat, said if Trump can’t pay, she will try to seize some of his assets.

Trump and his lawyers laid the groundwork for his appeal for months, often objecting to Engoron’s handling of the trial. Trump called Engoron’s decision “election interference” and “weaponization against a political opponent.” He complained that he was being punished for “having built a perfect company, lots of money, great buildings, great everything.”

During the trial, Trump’s lawyers accused Engoron of “tangible and overwhelming” prejudice. They also objected to the legal mechanics of James’ lawsuit. Trump claims the law under which she sued him is a consumer protection statute that is typically used to rein in companies that steal from customers.

Trump’s lawyers went to the Appellate Division at least 10 times to challenge Engoron’s previous rulings, including during the trial in a unsuccessful attempt to reverse a gag order and $15,000 in fines for violations after Trump made a derogatory and false post on social media about an important court official.

Trump’s lawyers have long argued that some of the allegations are barred by the statute of limitations, alleging that Engoron failed to comply with an Appellate Division ruling last year that he narrowed the scope of the trial to eliminate outdated allegations.

The Appellate Division could uphold Engoron’s verdict, reduce or modify the sentence, or overturn the decision entirely. If Trump is unsuccessful in the Appellate Division, he could ask the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, to consider taking up his case.