$454 million judgment against Trump is finalized, starting clock on appeal in civil fraud case
The staggering civil fraud judgment against Donald Trump was finalized by a New York county clerk on Friday
NEW YORK (AP) — The staggering civil fraud judgment against Donald Trump was finalized in New York on Friday, making official a verdict that leaves the former president on the hook for more than $454 million in fines and interest.
The procedural step by the New York county clerk starts the clock on Trump's appeals process, while allowing the debt to begin racking up post-judgement interest of more than $111,0000 each day, according to a spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case.
In his Feb. 16 ruling, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump lied for years about his wealth in order to secure favorable loans and make deals that helped prop up his real estate empire. He was ordered to pay $354.9 million in penalties plus nearly $100 million in interest.
The formalized verdict gives Trump a 30-day window to appeal, which he has vowed to do. Within that same time frame, he must deposit “sufficient funds” in a court-controlled account or secure a bond for the total amount, James's office said.
