Trump civil fraud case: Judge fines Trump $354M, says frauds 'shock the conscience'

The former president was found to have defrauded lenders.

ByPeter Charalambous and Aaron Katersky
Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 7:15 PM EST

Former President Donald Trump has been fined $354.8 million plus approximately $100 million in interest in a civil fraud lawsuit that could alter the personal fortune and real estate empire that helped propel him to the White House. In the decision, Judge Arthur Engoron excoriated Trump, saying the president's credibility was "severely compromised," that the frauds "shock the conscience" and that Trump and his co-defendants showed a "complete lack of contrition and remorse" that he said "borders on pathological."

Engoron also hit Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump with $4 million fines and barred all three from helming New York companies for years. New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his adult sons of engaging in a decade-long scheme in which they used "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation" to inflate Trump's net worth in order get more favorable loan terms. The former president has denied all wrongdoing and has said he will appeal.

Top headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 16, 4:07 pm

Summary of penalties

Donald Trump and his adult sons were hit with millions in fines in the civil fraud trial and barred for years from being officers in New York companies. The judge said the frauds "shock the conscience."

Donald Trump: $354 million fine + approx. $100 million in interest
+ barred for 3 years from serving as officer of NY company
Donald Trump Jr.: $4 million fine
+ barred for 2 years from serving as officer of NY company
Eric Trump: $4 million fine
+ barred for 2 years from serving as officer of NY company
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg: $1 million fine
+ barred for 3 years from serving as officer of NY company
+ barred for life from financial management role in NY company
Former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney:
+ barred for 3 years from serving as officer of NY company
+ barred for life from financial management role in NY company

Oct 24, 2023, 11:20 AM EDT

Attorneys continue to spar over COVID concerns

Trump lawyer Chris Kise continued to spar with state attorney Louis Solomon during the testimony of Mazars General Counsel Bill Kelly.

After Solomon objected to a question posted in Kelly's cross-examination, Kise interjected to call out Solomon for being hypocritical about the bounds of acceptable testimony.

"Everything in this courtroom concerns me and my client, including your health," Kise said, referring back to his earlier concern about a courtroom COVID-19 outbreak.

Former President Donald Trump appears in the courtroom for his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on October 24, 2023 in New York.
Maansi Srivastava/AFP via Getty Images

"Thanks for your concern," Solomon responded offhandedly.

Trump and his attorneys have adjusted their seating compared to past days, possibly due to health concerns, so that Trump and Kise are sitting further from the state attorneys.

Oct 24, 2023, 10:56 AM EDT

Judge rejects defense's request for delay due to COVID

Before today's first witness entered court, Trump attorney Chris Kise asked Judge Engoron to postpone today's proceedings after five members of the New York attorney general's team tested positive for COVID-19.

Describing the attorney general's conduct as "beyond irresponsible," Kise said that his team did not get adequate notice about the COVID exposures despite having close contact with positive individuals.

"Nothing else matters except for pursuing President Trump," Kise said. "We have the leading candidate for president of the United States in the courtroom today."

"The attorney general's office knew on Wednesday and didn't tell any of us," defense attorney Clifford Robert said. "We are truly in an outbreak."

Engoron declined to grant their requested delay.

In a statement, a spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James said the state has complied with all CDC guidelines.

"Our office properly notified the court and defendants' counsel, and the court decided to proceed with trial today. If there were any concerns, defendants could wear masks today or at any point, but they have opted not to," the spokesperson said.

Oct 24, 2023, 10:44 AM EDT

'He's a felon,' Trump says of Cohen

Trump called his former lawyer Michael Cohen a "proven liar" and "felon" as Trump entered the courtroom for his civil trial this morning.

"He's a felon, served a lot of time for lying, and we're just going to go in and see and I think you'll see that for yourself," Trump told reporters outside court.

Former President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in New York City, Oct. 24, 2023.
Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to two separate criminal cases and eventually spent more than 13 months in prison -- but said that it was Trump who caused him to "follow a path of darkness."

-ABC News' Ricardo Montero contributed to this report.

Oct 24, 2023, 10:06 AM EDT

Cohen says he's 'looking forward' to seeing Trump

Exiting his New York City apartment this morning, Michael Cohen told reporters he was "looking forward" to seeing Trump in court.

"It's been five years since we've been in the same room," Cohen said.

Cohen preemptively defended the credibility of his testimony and reiterated that he previously perjured himself "concert with and for the benefit of Donald J. Trump."

"My credibility should not be in question," Cohen said.

-ABC News' Eric Avram contributed to this report.

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