Lawyers for former US President and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump have appealed his $454 million New York civil fraud judgment, challenging Judge Arthur Engoron's Feb. 16 verdict of New York Attorney General Letitia James's lawsuit alleging that Trump lied about his wealth as he grew the real estate empire that launched him to stardom and the White House.
The Associated Press reported that Trump's lawyers wrote in court papers asking the New York state appeals court to decide whether Engoron "committed errors of law and/or fact" and whether he abused his discretion and/or his jurisdiction.
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Engoron found that Trump, his company and top executives, and even his sons Eric and Donald Jr., schemed for years to deceive banks and insurers by inflating his wealth on financial statements to secure loans and make deals.
Among other penalties, the judge put strict limitations on the ability of Trump's company, the Trump Organization, to do business.
Trump's appeal ensured that the legal fight over Trump's business practices would persist into the thick of the presidential primary season and beyond as he tries to return to the White House.
If upheld, Engoron's ruling would force Trump to relinquish a significant portion of his fortune. Originally, Trump was ordered to pay $355 million in penalties, but this has since been increased to reflect interest. The total would be increased by nearly $112,000 daily until he pays.
