A New York appeals court has dismissed a nearly $515 million civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump, citing the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on excessive fines, while leaving open the possibility of an appeal. The case, initiated by Attorney General Letitia James, accused Trump of inflating his financial records, but the court found the penalty excessive and overturned it, though the underlying allegations and other legal actions against Trump continue.
A New York appeals court has overturned a nearly half-billion-dollar financial penalty against Donald Trump related to civil fraud, while still affirming that he engaged in fraud by exaggerating his wealth, and has imposed a temporary ban on him and his sons from corporate leadership roles. The ruling highlights a divided judicial opinion on the severity of the penalties and the merits of the fraud findings, with ongoing legal and political implications.
An appeals court in New York has overturned a nearly $500 million civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump, ruling that the fine was excessive and likely violated constitutional protections, while upholding other penalties and allowing for potential further appeals.
An appeals court in New York has overturned the massive civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump, ruling that the $515 million fine was excessive and violating the Eighth Amendment, while leaving open the possibility for further legal challenges.
The US Justice Department has issued a subpoena for New York Attorney General Letitia James to testify in her civil fraud investigation into Donald Trump, amid ongoing legal battles and investigations related to Trump's business practices and political activities.
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a federal grand jury investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, focusing on her office's civil fraud case against President Trump and related allegations, amid political tensions and accusations of weaponization of the justice system.
The Manhattan District Attorney and New York Attorney General have stated that Donald Trump's criminal and civil cases in New York should not be dismissed despite his reelection as president. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg argues that Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records should stand, and suggests delaying sentencing until after his presidency or imposing a non-incarceratory sentence. The New York AG's office also maintains that Trump's appeal of a $454 million civil fraud judgment does not impede his presidency. Trump's legal team argues that ongoing proceedings could interfere with his presidential duties, but prosecutors assert that presidential immunity does not apply to unofficial conduct.
Donald Trump's legal challenges, including criminal and civil cases, are being affected by his recent presidential election victory. His return to the presidency may lead to the dismissal or delay of his four criminal cases due to presidential immunity. These cases include charges related to hush money payments, election interference, and classified documents. Additionally, Trump faces significant financial penalties from civil cases, including those involving business fraud and defamation against E. Jean Carroll. Legal proceedings are being paused or reassessed in light of his new presidential term.
Legal analyst Glenn Kirschner suggests that former President Donald Trump's $175 million bond payment, posted to appeal a civil fraud ruling against him, may be in jeopardy due to missing paperwork and questions about the sufficiency of the surety backing it. New York Attorney General Letitia James has raised concerns about the backing entity, Knight Specialty Insurance Company, and a hearing set for April 22 could bring increased scrutiny to the bond's questionable background, potentially imperiling Trump's appeal efforts.
Attorney and Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James' response to the rejection of Donald Trump's $175 million bond as "vindictive and abusive," following a civil fraud ruling against Trump and his organization. James raised concerns about the sufficiency of the bond and the eligibility of the surety company, Knight Specialty Insurance Company, prompting a refile of paperwork. Jarrett argued that the bond is valid and fully collateralized, accusing James of attempting an end-run to disqualify the surety company after being "spanked by the appellate court."
The SEC's civil fraud case against Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon is now in the hands of a New York jury, with allegations of misleading investors about the stability of Terra USD (UST) and its integration with a Korean mobile payments app. The SEC argued that Kwon and Terraform Labs deceived investors about the nature of the algorithm behind UST, while the defense emphasized the known risks and market participants' role in maintaining the stablecoin's peg. Kwon, who was absent from court, remains in Montenegro as the country's Supreme Court weighs competing extradition requests from the U.S. and South Korea.
Former President Donald Trump posted a $175 million bond in a civil fraud case in New York, but experts have raised concerns about the validity of the bond. The bond, provided by Knight Specialty Insurance Company, is missing crucial information and the company is not listed on New York's Department of Financial Services website. Questions have been raised about the company's licensing and financial solvency, as well as its compliance with New York insurance laws. The New York Supreme Court clerk's office has requested corrections to the bond filing, and there are calls for an investigation by the New York Attorney General's office to determine the bond's validity.
Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that he had to post a bond to appeal a civil fraud judgment against him, and also falsely accused Judge Arthur Engoron of unusual actions. However, the requirement to post a bond during the appeal process is standard under New York state law and not a result of any unusual decision by Engoron. Trump's repeated claims were debunked, and there is no evidence to support his accusations against the judge.
Donald Trump's lawyers argue that he cannot post a bond covering the full $454m civil fraud judgment against him in New York, claiming it is a "practical impossibility" after 30 surety companies turned him down. They state that bonding companies are unwilling to issue a bond of such size and would only accept cash or cash equivalents as collateral. Trump's legal troubles also include a defamation case and an unprecedented slate of criminal charges. Despite these challenges, he remains a dominant figure in the Republican presidential primary and is expected to face Joe Biden in the November election.
Donald Trump has appealed a $454 million civil fraud judgment in New York, challenging a ruling that he manipulated property values to obtain favorable loan and insurance rates. The judgment, which includes penalties and interest, will continue to accrue interest if not paid. Meanwhile, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel has announced her resignation, paving the way for Trump loyalists to lead the party, as Trump consolidates power ahead of the presidential primary season.
