Trump’s $464M Judgment Temporarily Halted by Court

(ProsperNews.net) – A New York appeals court has paused the $464 million fine imposed on former President Donald Trump. The court gave Mr. Trump ten days to pay $175 million, and if he does, the court will stop the clock on the enormous penalty. The decision comes as the Empire State’s Attorney General Letitia James prepared to seize the former President’s assets while he admitted he was struggling to find the cash. Trump thanked the Appellate Division for its action but once again condemned Judge Arthur Engoron, who imposed the initial fine, as a “disgrace.”

Ms. James responded to the court’s reprieve, saying Trump is “still facing accountability for his staggering fraud.” She reminded the former President that the initial fine still stands, even though he has been handed a lifeline. The courts have also delayed the enforcement of other penalties, including those prohibiting Trump and his two sons from conducting business in their home state for three years.

Some legal experts suggest the reprieve is surprising, given that New York law demands penalties be paid before any appeal is launched.

Commentators say the latest ruling represents a stunning victory for Trump and a crushing blow to Letitia James, who has made no secret of her negative view of the former President. Her public comments have prompted some to accuse her of unprofessionalism. For example, former US attorney for the District of Columbia Joe diGenova said James should be disbarred after accusing her of making prejudicial public remarks. Mr. diGenova, however, said her disbarment is unlikely because the New York Bar Association is just as biased.

Similarly, New York lawmaker Elise Stefanik filed a formal complaint against James, reporting her conduct to the New York Committee on Professional Standards.

Mr. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, similarly slammed Ms. James, saying the appeal court reprieve had served up “humble pie” to the Attorney General. “We’ll be serving a lot more of that in the next couple of years,” she added.