politics
Trump Appeals New York Fraud Ruling in Ongoing Case Against His Business Empire
Lawyers for Donald Trump have filed a 119-page appeal seeking to overturn a fraud ruling issued by Justice Arthur Engoron in 2024. The appeal argues that the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James involves unconstitutional selective enforcement.
Apr 8, 3:55 PM·2m read1 source
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Donald Trump's legal team has submitted a 119-page appeal to a New York appeals court, requesting the dismissal of a fraud ruling against Trump and his business associates. The appeal contends that the case is legally and factually baseless and based on unconstitutional selective enforcement by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The filing accuses James of pursuing the action for political reasons, citing her public statements as evidence.
The appeal follows a 2024 verdict by Justice Arthur Engoron in Manhattan, which determined that Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and executives at the Trump Organization had engaged in a decade-long scheme to defraud banks and lenders. The scheme involved submitting inflated financial statements to obtain favorable financing terms for properties including Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago.
The bench trial concluded a three-year investigation by James's office.
the Case In September 2023, Engoron issued a partial summary judgment finding that Trump and his company had committed fraud by overstating asset values.
The full trial addressed penalties and additional claims of conspiracy and falsifying business records. The verdict imposed a $454 million penalty, which has increased to over $500 million with interest, along with restrictions on Trump's business activities in New York. A state appeals court in 2024 upheld Engoron's liability findings but reduced the penalty, determining it was excessive.
The court maintained the fraud determinations against Trump and his associates. Trump sought full reversal but received only partial relief on the financial sanctions.
lawyers argue in the new appeal that the entire case should be dismissed, describing it as a legally deficient proceeding.
U.S. Department of Justice following the verdict. The appeal requests the court to vacate the remaining fraud findings and end the case. The case affects Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization, which operates real estate and branding assets.
