(NEW YORK) — Scoring more legal victories, Donald Trump on Monday urged a New York appeals court to overturn a nearly $500 million civil fraud judgment that threatens to drain his personal cash reserves as he campaigns to reclaim power in the White House.
In papers filed with the state's intermediate appeals court, the former president's lawyers said Manhattan District Judge Arthur Engoron's Feb. 16 finding that Trump lied to banks, insurance companies and others about his wealth was “erroneous” and “dangerous.”
Trump's arguments on appeal echoed many of his complaints about the case, made during the trial in front of television cameras outside the courtroom.
His lawyers argued that the lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James should have been dismissed quickly, that the statute of limitations bars some of the claims, and that no one was harmed by Trump's alleged fraud.
In a 116-page filing, Trump’s lawyers also complained that Judge Engoron’s ruling, if upheld, would give Mr. Trump the right to vote.I James, a Democrat, “has unlimited power to target anyone she wants, including self-proclaimed political opponents.”
Mr. Trump posted a $175 million bond in April to stop collection of the judgment and prevent Mr. Trump from obtaining bond.I James to seize his assets on appeal. If he wins, he won't have to pay the state anything and will get back the money he invested.
Office MI Mr. Trump and his lawyers are making unfounded arguments, James said.
“We won this case on the facts and the law, and we are confident that we will prevail on appeal,” the woman’s office said.I James in a statement.
Decisions that accumulate
The appeal filed Monday is the latest development in a defining legal and political period for Mr. Trump, who last week accepted the Republican presidential nomination just days after he was shot and wounded at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
1any In July, the Supreme Court sided with Trump in ruling that former presidents enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts they take while in office, further delaying the election interference case in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, his sentencing in the New York criminal secret payment case will be postponed until September 18. Until then, his lawyers are seeking to have that conviction overturned.
On July 15, a federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents case brought by Trump, ruling that special prosecutor Jack Smith, who filed the complaint, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Mr. Smith appeals.
In the civil fraud case, Judge Engoron found that Trump, his company and his top executives — including his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr. — conspired for years to inflate his wealth on financial statements used to secure loans and enter into agreements.
In addition to the hefty financial penalty, the judge placed strict restrictions on the Trump Organization’s ability to do business. Among other consequences, Judge Engoron placed the Trump Organization under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor for at least three years.
Trump’s lawyers have gone to the appellate division at least a dozen times to challenge Mr. Engoron’s previous rulings, including during the trial in a failed attempt to overturn a gag order and a $15,000 fine for violations after Mr. Trump posted a derogatory and false message on social media about a court employee.
Trump's appeal ensures that the legal battle over Trump's business practices will continue into the fall and beyond.
The appeals court announced that it will hear oral arguments at the end of September.
