Trump lawyers seek delay in enforcement of $350 million fraud judgment – The Washington Post
NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s attorneys Wednesday requested a month-long delay in enforcement of a civil fraud judgment of more than $350 million against the former president, saying they had concerns with a proposal drafted by the state attorney general’s office.
In a flurry of filings, Clifford S. Robert, an attorney for Trump, argued that lawyers for the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James should have consulted with the defense on the drafting of the proposed judgment.
Robert asked for New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who issued the judgment, to give the defense a chance to file a proposed counter-judgment.
Engoron, in an email exchange with Robert, indicated there was “no need for a motion or conference on this” because the judgment the attorney general proposed mirrored the terms of his order.
The judge, however, invited Trump’s side to provide specific disagreements with the proposed document. Trump’s lawyers cited two items they said were incorrect and requested more time to evaluate the document and propose any other changes due to what they considered inaccuracies. It was not clear when Engoron would respond.
Engoron, who issued the 92-page civil fraud ruling on Friday, must sign off on the judgment, which would give Trump a month to file a notice of appeal. To begin the appeal process, Trump will have to either satisfy the judgment by paying it or post a bond.
A draft of the judgment filed by James’s trial attorneys on Tuesday has language that matches Engoron’s bench trial verdict decision. James’s proposed judgment also cites a statutory interest rate of 9 percent per year, which the attorney general has said adds about $100 million in prejudgment interest to Trump’s tab.
Robert argued that the attorney general rushed the process and that Trump’s side should have been included in discussions about it. He requested that, in the event that Engoron signs James’s proposed order, no action be taken for 30 days.
It was not immediately clear whether the 30 days requested would extend the time Trump will have by law to post a bond as he pursues his appeal.
Engoron’s ruling means Trump must cover the judgment by using a significant portion of his wealth, much of which is locked up in real estate and other investments. The judge also barred Trump and two of his sons from serving as officers or directors in any New York corporation. Trump is banned for three years while Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are prohibited from such roles for two years.
Trump and his lawyers have called the case an act of political motivation brought by James, a Democrat, who was critical of Trump and discussed investigating him when she ran for office.
He plans to appeal and has said the allegations of fraud are unfounded.
Engoron found Trump, his company and several company executives liable for defrauding banks and insurance companies by deliberately misrepresenting Trump’s net worth in annual financial statements that accountants compiled for them using false asset values.
As part of his ruling, Engoron determined that illegal acts were committed. James argued that Trump and his executives inflated his net worth by up to $2.2 billion every year from 2011 to 2021. With Trump as the sole owner of the Trump Organization, banks and other business partners relied on those statements, the judge found.
Trump’s attorneys argued at the 10-week trial that began Oct. 2 that Trump did not mislead business partners but that commercial real state valuations are subjective and can vary greatly from appraisal figures. Trump’s properties had enhanced value due to his fame and stature, the attorneys said.