N.Y. Attorney General Rejects Trump’s Request To Drop $486 Million Civil Fraud Judgment
New York Attorney General Letitia James has refused a request by former President Donald Trump to vacate a $486 million civil fraud judgment against him and his company, asserting the case’s legitimacy and rejecting claims of political bias.
In a letter to Trump attorney John Sauer, James’ office stated, “This Office will not stipulate to vacate the final judgment or otherwise seek to dismiss the action.” The letter emphasized that the case has already been adjudicated, with both sides presenting their arguments in Trump’s ongoing appeal to the Appellate Division, First Department.
Sauer had argued that continuing the case could interfere with Trump’s duties as president-elect and urged James to drop the matter to promote national unity. However, Deputy State Solicitor General Judith Vale dismissed these assertions, stating, “There is no merit to your claim that the pendency of defendants’ own appeal will impede Mr. Trump’s official duties as President.”
Vale clarified that the judgment and appeal would not affect Trump’s ability to perform his duties and distinguished this civil enforcement case from criminal prosecutions, which have seen varying outcomes in Trump’s favor.
The $350 million judgment, handed down by Judge Arthur Engoron in February, has grown to over $497 million with added interest. Trump is responsible for the majority—$486 million. The ruling came after a lengthy trial where James’ office demonstrated that Trump and his executives repeatedly exaggerated company assets to secure favorable loans.
Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, maintains that the case is politically motivated due to James’ affiliation with the Democratic Party. Sauer echoed this sentiment, calling the judgment legally flawed, a claim Vale categorically denied.
“The overwhelming evidence supports the Supreme Court’s conclusion that Mr. Trump and the other defendants engaged in repeated and persistent fraud and illegality,” Vale asserted.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized James’ decision, calling it a continuation of a “baseless, discredited witch hunt,” and urged her to drop the case for the sake of unity.
The case remains under appeal, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for Trump and his business empire.
