Former President Donald Trump was ordered to pay a $354 million fine when a New York State Supreme Court justice found him liable in a civil fraud lawsuit for engaging in decades of fraudulent business practices.
In an interview with ABC News, New York General Attorney Letitia James says she will request to seize the assets of the former president should he refuse to make payment.
James told ABC her team is "prepared to make sure that the judgment is paid to New Yorkers," adding that Trump's 40 Wall Street skyscraper could also be on the hook.
"If he does not have funds to pay off the judgment, then we will seek judgment enforcement mechanisms in court, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets," James said.
What happens now?
Trump was fined $354.8 million plus approximately $100 million in prejudgement interest on Friday after Judge Arthur Engoron determined that he inflated his net worth to get more favorable loan terms.
James continued to say she feels "very confident" with the strength of her case on appeal as she reiterated there is no hesitation to seize Trump's assets. James made sure to mention Trump's 40 Wall Street skyscraper by name should the former president be unable to find the means to pay the judicially mandated restitution.
"We are prepared to make sure that the judgment is paid to New Yorkers, and yes, I look at 40 Wall Street each and every day," James said of the standard court process for collecting judgments in civil cases.
James directly countered Trump's claim that the case lacked any victims, describing her case as vital to ensuring financial markets treat New Yorkers fairly.
"Financial frauds are not victimless crimes. He engaged in this massive amount of fraud. It wasn't just a simple mistake, a slight oversight, the variations are wildly exaggerated, and the extent of the fraud was staggering," James said.
"If average New Yorkers went into a bank and submitted false documents, the government would throw the book at them, and the same should be true for former presidents."
James dismissed Trump's assumption that businesses would leave New York over the case and doubled down with, "Last I checked, tourism is up. Wall Street is doing just fine."
Trump has lost two civil cases against columnist E. Jean Carroll. He currently faces Georgia election interference charges from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and has lost his case against Letitia James.
"Someone once told me if you want something done, give it to a woman," James concluded.
Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and intends to appeal the verdict.
