New York Attorney General Letitia James delivered a forceful defense against former President Donald Trump’s appeal of a $454 million civil fraud judgment, arguing that the penalties are fully justified given the “overwhelming evidence” of fraudulent practices by Trump and the Trump Organization.
The legal battle, stemming from a lawsuit filed by James in 2022, centers on allegations that Trump and his business exaggerated the value of assets to deceive banks and lenders.
In the August 21 brief submitted to the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, James responded to Trump’s claims that the judgment was politically motivated and based on non-existent violations.
The attorney general refuted these assertions, stressing that trial testimony and documentation proved that Trump’s company engaged in an “illegal scheme” to inflate asset valuations by as much as $2.2 billion annually.
James highlighted that the court’s decision, issued by Justice Arthur Engoron, was grounded in credible evidence showing that Trump and his associates knowingly manipulated financial statements with “an intent to defraud.”
She argued that Engoron’s conclusions were fully supported by detailed findings indicating that Trump, along with other defendants, deliberately misrepresented financial data to achieve desired net worth figures.
In her brief, James underscored that the fraudulent conduct was not incidental but systematic, with the defendants “reverse engineering” asset values to align with Trump’s financial objectives.
The document described the misconduct as a coordinated effort involving senior Trump Organization officials and sought to explained that the fraudulent statements were intended to mislead lenders, insurers, and financial institutions.
Trump’s legal team, which has characterized the civil case as a politically charged attack, continues to seek reversal of the judgment.
However, James’ office remains steadfast in defending the outcome, asserting that the penalties were appropriately calculated based on the egregious nature of the violations.
This case is one of several legal challenges facing Trump in New York, including criminal proceedings led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg related to falsified business records and defamation lawsuits by journalist E. Jean Carroll.
The civil fraud case, however, stands out for its significant financial implications and its potential impact on the future operations of the Trump Organization.
As Trump’s appeal progresses, the ruling will serve as a critical test of the legal consequences for high-profile individuals who engage in deceptive business practices, with the attorney general’s office committed to holding such actors accountable.
