Trump Wants More Time on the $355 Million Civil Fraud Decision

Former President Donald Trump has asked the judge for a little more breathing room following the huge civil fraud decision handed down last week. Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $355 million plus interest for his role in alleged business fraud schemes. But Trump’s team claims the New York Attorney General is moving too fast to enforce the judgment.

In a letter to Judge Engoron, Trump’s lawyers argued that a brief 30-day delay in enforcing the civil fraud decision is reasonable. They accused Letitia James of being in too much of a hurry to lock in the judgment without allowing the standard appeal process to play out. Trump has the right to appeal within 30 days, so his attorneys want to avoid any premature enforcement actions by the AG during that window.

What’s the Rush?

Last week’s blockbuster civil fraud decision imposed a hefty $355 million fine on Trump along with a three-year ban from running New York businesses. But Trump’s side wants a chance to appeal without the added pressure of looming enforcement. They claim there’s no harm in granting a brief 30-day stay since a court-appointed monitor is already keeping tabs on Trump’s business dealings.

In the letter, Trump’s attorney said “Given that the court-appointed monitor continues to be in place, there is no prejudice to the Attorney General in briefly staying enforcement to allow for an orderly post-Judgment process, particularly given the magnitude of Judgment.” It will be interesting to see if Judge Engoron agrees to hit the brakes for a month following such a huge civil fraud decision. A delay could give Trump a little breathing room as he weighs his legal options in the aftermath of the massive judgment.