Trump Slapped With Massive $355M Fine In Civil Fraud Case, Calls NY Judge's Ruling A 'Total Sham'

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform after the court's decision, a ruling by a judge in New York ordering Donald Trump and his companies to pay nearly USD 355 million in the civil fraud case was blasted by the former US President on Friday (local time).

The decision was called a "complete and total sham" by Trump. In his posts, it was asserted by Trump that the justice system in New York State and the US as a whole is under assault by "partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors."

Trump Criticizes NY Judge's Ruling

Trump further alleged that the Attorney General, Tish James, had been obsessed with "Getting Trump" for years and utilized Judge Engoron to obtain an illegal, unAmerican judgment against him, his family, and his business. Trump stated that he had helped New York City during its worst times and criticized the current situation of the city being "overrun with Violent Biden Migrant Crime" while radicals attempt to remove him.

Trump continued his criticism, stating that there were no victims, damages, or complaints in the case. He accused Judge Arthur Engoron of targeting him and labelled the decision in the New York case a "witch hunt," emphasizing that he was fined USD 355 million solely for having built a "great company."

Trump asserted that the case had been over since the Appellate Division ended it on Statute of Limitations and criticized Judge Engoron for being reversed four times on the case, which he deemed as a shameful record. Furthermore, Trump claimed that the judge, in collaboration with a corrupt Attorney General, had fined him USD 355 million without any basis other than having built a great company, which he labelled as election interference and a witch hunt.

NY Judge Slams Trump with $355M Fine in Fraud Case

• On Friday, a New York judge issued a ruling in a civil fraud case against former US President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization.
• The judgment, spanning 90 pages, imposed a fine of nearly USD 355 million on Trump and the Trump Organization.
• According to the ruling, Trump is prohibited from acting as a company director in New York state for three years.
• Additionally, Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, were ordered to pay fines of USD 4 million each and are barred from serving as directors for two years.
• The case stems from allegations that Trump and his sons inflated the value of their properties by hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Despite the ruling, Trump and his sons have denied any wrongdoing, with Trump calling the case a "fraud" and a "political witch hunt."
• The judgment follows a months-long trial that concluded in January 2023, with the attorney general's office initially requesting Trump to pay USD 370 million.
• Former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was ordered to pay USD 1 million and barred from New York business for three years.
• Additionally, Weisselberg and former controller Jeffrey McConney were banned for life from serving in financial roles in any New York corporation or business entity.
• The judge also mandated the continuation of an independent monitor overseeing Trump's business for three years, along with the installation of an "Independent Director of Compliance."
• However, the judge reversed a pre-trial decision to cancel the defendants' business certificates, although stating that the order could be renewed.
• Trump's lawyer described the ruling as a "manifest injustice" and the result of a "multi-year, politically fueled witch hunt."
• The trial, which lasted over two months, included testimony from 40 witnesses, including Trump himself and top Trump Organization executives.
• Trump's financial situation faces significant challenges with the USD 354.8 million judgment in this case, coupled with another USD 83.3 million judgment for defamation against writer E Jean Carroll.