Donald Trump’s lawyers have said they will post $100 million bond in New York fraud case, prompting New York AG Letitia James to counter that he is trying to get away with just a quarter of a court judgment against to pay him.
Trump’s lawyers called the $464 million fine was “exorbitant and punitive” and blamed new credit restrictions imposed on him by a judge for making it impossible for him to raise the full amount.
James’ office countered that Trump simply did not have the “liquid assets” after James threatened to seize Trump’s prized real estate assets if necessary.
Trump’s lawyers say in a new legal filing that Trump cannot secure the full amount, and blame New York Judge Arthur Engoron for a ruling after Trump’s fraud trial that bans the former president and his company. no longer have to rely on bank financing for a period of three years.
“The exorbitant and punitive amount of the judgment, coupled with an unlawful and unconstitutional blanket ban on credit transactions, would make it impossible to secure and disburse full bail,” defense attorneys wrote in a filing Wednesday.
James’ team fired back with their own request. “There is no basis for defendants’ contention … that full bond or down payment is not necessary because they are willing to make a partial commitment of less than one-quarter of the judgment,” prosecutors wrote. “Defendants all but admit… that Mr. Trump does not have sufficient cash to satisfy the judgment; Defendants would have to “raise the capital” to do so.’
The former president’s lawyers have demanded a delay in the enforcement of the $355 million fine, plus interest, handed down by Judge Arthur Engoron two weeks ago.
Interest rates are rising by $111,984 per day, and now Trump’s legal team has revealed they will pay $100 million to cover the bond.
That brings the total amount to $454 million, including penalties and interest.
His latest legal action came when Judge Engoron received a “suspicious white powder” and sent an envelope to his office at the Supreme Court in New York.
Donald Trump’s lawyers have said they will post $100 million bail in the New York fraud case, calling the $464 million discovery “exorbitant and punitive.”
Fire engines and emergency workers swarmed the court as two staff members were sent into isolation, but the judge was not exposed. Law360 reported.
“The applicants nevertheless intend to secure and disburse a $100 million bond.”
The lawyers also argued that it was “unnecessary” to post a bond covering the entire fine because of the Trump Organization’s independent monitor.
Letitia James has already threatened to seize Trump’s buildings and taunted him by showing extra interest in X every day
Trump’s latest legal action came when Judge Engoron received ‘suspicious white powder’ and sent an envelope to his office at the Supreme Court in New York
The former president’s legal team has argued that $100 million is enough to cover the bond, and that assets can be collected by James.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba said earlier this month that Trump would transfer the full amount
Trump’s stake in the building at 40 Wall Street alone – which was part of his fraud case – is estimated at $80 million. James mentioned the building as she talked about seizing assets to secure payment
They argued that Trump Organization assets could be collected by New York Attorney General Letitia James if necessary.
“These assets aren’t going anywhere, nor could they, given the Monitor’s oversight and the practical reality of the very public judgment’s existence,” she added.
James has already threatened to seize Trump’s buildings and taunted him by taking extra interest in X every day.
“If he does not have the money to pay off the judgment, we will pursue mechanisms in court to enforce the judgment, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets,” she told ABC News last week.
Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly overturned Engoron’s fine, and Trump has characterized the civil and criminal cases against him as part of a “witch hunt.”
Trump’s team asked the judge to suspend enforcement pending his appeal, saying if James were to seize property it would cause “irreparable harm” to his business.
James mentioned in an interview Trump’s building at 40 Wall Street, which is one of the jewels of his real estate empire.
James’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump said in an affidavit for the case that he had $400 million in cash, which would put him close to the total amount of fines and penalties.
His lawyer Alina Habba said in a media interview earlier this month that Trump would actually post the full amount.
‘I can tell you what the rules are. Even if we choose to appeal this, we must transfer the deposit within 30 days, which is the full amount and then some. We will be prepared to do that,” she told Fox News, though she did the same described posting bonds as merely an “option.”
In its own filing, James’ office debunked Trump’s claim that he could not pay.
Although the AG ‘fully opposes an interim stay, it would be particularly inappropriate for the Court to suspend the enforcement of the following forms of damages – and especially to do so without the legally required full commitment of defendants to the satisfaction of to secure full monetary compensation for the judgment. section after appeal,” prosecutors wrote.
The filing cited other judgments against Trump — a reference to the jury award in E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million defamation case — and said the value of his real estate holdings could decline while Trump appeals Engoron’s order.
‘Mr. Trump has other significant liabilities, including other outstanding money judgments against him…And the value of defendants’ real estate holdings or other illiquid assets could decline materially during the appeal, while statutory interest increases post-judgment.”