Trump civil fraud case: Judge fines Trump $354 million, says frauds 'shock the conscience'
The former president was found to have defrauded lenders.
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.
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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
'This is not a political rally,' judge warns
"Mr. Kise -- can you control your client? This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom," Judge Engoron told Trump attorney Chris Kise following a politically charged answer from the former president. He added, "Maybe you should have a talk with him right now."
State attorney Kevin Wallace then restated his question, and Trump responded briefly. Within minutes, Engoron grew frustrated again.
"Stricken, stricken, stricken," the judge shouted from the bench.
'Please just answer the questions,' judge says
Asked by State attorney Kevin Wallace about his 2014 statement of financial condition, Trump took a swipe at Judge Engoron.
"First of all, it's so long ago -- this is well beyond the statute of limitations," Trump said. "But I'm sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me."
Engoron, who had already directed Trump to answer concisely and avoid lengthy narrative responses, stepped in, addressing Trump's attorney Christopher Kise.
"Mr. Kise, was that relevant to the narrative?" he asked.
"This is an unusual situation and an unusual trial," Kise replied. "I think it's fair for the court to hear his position. I certainly think it's fair for the American people to hear his position."
"The comment that I always rule against him ... certainly didn't answer the question," Engoron said. "You can attack me -- you can do whatever you want. Please just answer the questions."
'All Trump haters,' Trump calls attorneys
Less than 10 minutes into his direct examination, Donald Trump took an opportunity to criticize the investigations and prosecutions that have dogged his life after the presidency.
"You and every other Democratic district attorney, AG, U.S. Attorney were coming after me from 15 different sides. All Democrats, all Trump haters," Trump said unprompted.
State attorney Kevin Wallace attempted to begin his direct examination by asking Trump his revocable trust -- the mechanism that Trump used to prevent business conflicts during his presidency.
"I thought there may be a conflict of interest, so I formed the trust," Trump said, describing his son and trustee Donald Trump Jr. as "a hard working boy, young man."
Asked about former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who also was a trustee, Trump spoke highly of his former employee, who later pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
"He did a good job, he was very good at what he did," Trump said. "We really liked him for a long time.'
Trump said that he briefly resumed control of his trust in 2021 before returning control back to Donald Trump Jr. so he could return to politics.
"He was impressive in business, as was Eric. I thought that I would do that while I continue en route to politics," Trump said before decrying the political motivation of his multiple criminal cases.
Judge Arthur Engoron has already advised Trump to limit the length of his answers.
"I would like things to move along a little faster. Please answer the questions, no speeches," Engoron said.
'The numbers are much greater,' Trump says
"This is all ridiculous," Trump told reporters on his way into the courtroom, regarding the trial.
"The numbers are much greater than on the financial statement," he said of the New York attorney general's accusation that he overvalued his properties on this statements of financial condition, before going on to call New York AG Letitia James, who is Black, a racist who has "made some terrible statements."