Trump claims ‘total victory’ as US court quashes US$464 million civil fraud penalty
The decision was splintered, with some judges saying Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal
In a triumph for Donald Trump, a New York state appeal court on Thursday threw out an around half-billion-dollar penalty against the US president, in a fraud case that had been one of his biggest legal setbacks before his return to the White House.
The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan is a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who Trump accused of bringing the civil fraud lawsuit to advance a political witch hunt and deny him a second term.
A trial judge had ordered the penalty in February 2024 after finding that Trump fraudulently overstated his wealth and the value of his properties to bolster his family business.
Trump denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers argued that any errors in reporting Trump’s fortune to his lenders and business partners were irrelevant because none was harmed.
Thursday’s decision by the five-judge appeal court was deeply splintered, with some agreeing Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal.
In a social media post, Trump called the decision a “TOTAL VICTORY”.