The judge has granted a temporary order permitting Trump and his sons to continue operating their business as they appeal against the decision. This move precedes the full Appeals Court’s consideration of the motion. According to the schedule, James is required tosubmit a brief to the panel by March 11, with Trump’s replies expected by March 18.
This decision follows a ruling by New York Judge Arthur Engoron earlier in February, following a lengthy trial that commenced in October and emerged from James’ lawsuit alleging that the former president exaggerated his assets and engaged in fraudulent activities.
Engoron found Trump and other defendants accountable for various offenses, including “persistent and repeated fraud,” “falsifying business records,” “issuing false financial statements,” “conspiracy to falsify false financial statements,” “insurance fraud,” and “conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.”
Additionally, the judge prohibited Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump from holding positions as officers or directors of any New York corporation or legal entity in New York for a period of two years.
Engoron also imposed “permanent” bans on defendants Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, and former corporate controller Jeffrey McConney. They are prohibited from serving in financial control roles of any New York corporation or similar business entity registered and/or licensed in New York State for three years, as well as from acting as directors of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York.
James initiated the lawsuit accusing Trump and the Trump Organization of fraudulent business practices. The legal proceedings were marked by contention, with Engoronfrequently imposing a partial gag order on Trump to prevent him from disparaging court personnel.
James had sought $370 million, plus 9% interest in penalties from Trump. Any damages awarded would be directed to the New York State Treasury, unless otherwise instructed by the state comptroller.
Trump consistently denounced the trial as a “witch hunt,” alleging that both Engoron and James were acting as political operatives for the Democrats. His legal team criticized the absence of a jury in the trial.
“There was never an option to choose a jury trial,” a spokesperson for Trump told Fox News Digital last month. “It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.”
Trump and his family refuted any allegations of wrongdoing, with the former president asserting that his assets had been undervalued. His legal team emphasized that his financial statements included disclaimers, and that banks were advised to conduct their own evaluations.
Trump insisted that his financial statements were “perfect,” highlighting that bank loans were repaid and expressing satisfaction with the outcomes.
Throughout the trial, Trump’s attorneys presented witnesses, including former top executives from Deutsche Bank, who testified that the banks actively pursued additional business from Trump, whom they considered a valuable client.
Trump’s defense also enlisted expert witnesses, such as New York University accounting professor Eli Bartov, who examined the Trump financial statements under scrutiny and found no evidence of accounting fraud.
Bartov testified that Trump’s financial statements adhered to accounting principles and suggested that any irregularities, such as significant year-to-year increases in the estimated value of his Trump Tower penthouse, were likely errors.
“My main finding is that there is no evidence whatsoever of any accounting fraud,” Bartov testified. Trump’s financial statements, he asserted, “were not materially misstated.”
