Former President Donald Trump has taken steps to challenge the hefty $454 million judgment handed down by New York Judge Arthur Engoron following a civil fraud trial. Trump’s legal team filed an appeal, contending that Engoron may have erred in matters of law or fact and possibly overstepped his jurisdiction or discretion with his ruling on February 16, according to The Associated Press.
Previously, Trump had sought a delay in complying with the payment order resulting from New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James’ civil fraud case. However, Engoron denied this request last week. Notably, the appeal filed does not directly address the issue of pausing payments.
The case stems from allegations that Trump inflated his assets to secure favorable loan and insurance terms. Engoron had already determined Trump’s liability before the trial commenced. Following the trial, Trump was slapped with a $355 million fine plus approximately $100 million in interest. Additionally, Engoron imposed sanctions prohibiting Trump from holding officer positions in any New York-based business for three years, while Trump’s two eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were barred from such roles for two years.