A New York appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments on Thursday in former President Donald Trump's attempt to have the $454 million civil fraud judgment against him dismissed. The appellate hearing comes amidst a series of legal battles for Trump, coinciding with the final stages of his presidential campaign.
In February, state Judge Arthur Engoron issued a $454 million judgment against Trump, his sons, and his business, holding them liable for fraud, false financial statements, and false business records. The judgment stemmed from allegations that Trump and his co-defendants inflated the value of his assets to secure more favorable loan and insurance rates.
While Trump is not expected to attend Thursday's hearing, his lawyers are seeking to overturn the judgment. Trump posted a $175 million bond in April to continue the appeal process.
The hearing will also address Trump's lawyers' objections to the trial proceedings, during which the former president clashed with the judge. Engoron criticized Trump and his co-defendants for their lack of contrition and remorse, describing it as bordering on pathological.
Trump's legal team has argued that the monetary penalty is unconstitutional and that the case should have been limited due to the age of the conduct. They also contested the lack of financial losses by banks or counterparties on loans.
The New York attorney general's office, which brought the case against Trump, maintains that there is overwhelming evidence of fraud and asset inflation by Trump. They argue that Trump's legal team has failed to address the deceptive practices used to misrepresent asset values.
No decision is expected before the election, and any ruling by the appeals court can be further appealed to New York's highest appellate court. The ongoing legal battles add another layer of complexity to Trump's political endeavors as he navigates the final stages of his campaign.
