$500 Million Fraud Judgement Against Trump Called "Troubling" by New York Appeals Judge

A New York appeals panel has reportedly signaled its skepticism towards a $500 million fraud conviction brought against former President Donald Trump earlier this year. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James successfully brought civil fraud charges against President Trump earlier this year, securing a $354 million judgment against the latter plus an additional $100 million in interest. 

Now, a New York appeals panel seems doubtful that Trump’s conviction is legally sound. 

Judge Peter Moulton reportedly questioned if James’ lawsuit morphed into “something it was not meant to do.”

Specifically, Moulton remarked the nearly $500 million requested of Trump is an “immense penalty” that “is troubling.”

Trump lawyers have consistently held the charges and subsequent conviction are unjustifiable and often criticized by AG James and trial judge Arthur Engoron during the civil trial. 

Trump himself even took to social media during the trial to criticize Judge Engoron’s handling of expert evidence.  

“The highly political, Trump Hating Judge just stated that expert testimony is not evidence. Well, that means that every trial in American history has to be thrown out and started all over again!” said Trump. 

Trump’s NY civil fraud case is one of several legal battles he is dealing with in anticipation of the November 2024 elections. 

Trump faces an indictment on allegations of insurrection, is appealing a defamation case from Eugene Caroll, and was criminally charged for alleged hush-money payments, mishandling of classified documents, and election fraud charges. 

Conservatives and Trump supporters have largely derided such cases as lawfare by Democrats against their strongest political opponent. 

“People are sick and tired of this lawfare the Dems are using against President Donald Trump,” said US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). “They know they can’t beat him at the ballot box, so they’re trying to come at him through the courts.”

Trump has called the cases against him “election interference.” 

Speaking about the indictment charges brought against him, Trump claimed “It is DOJ policy that the Department of Justice should not take any action that will influence an election within 60 days of that election – but they just have taken such action.” 

“Voting starts on September 6th, therefore the DOJ has violated its own policy – Election Interference,” concluded Trump.