Former President Donald Trump’s legal team is heading to a New York appeals court to challenge a civil fraud judgment that could cost him nearly $500 million. The case stems from a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleging that Trump lied about his wealth on financial paperwork in order to secure loans and deals. Trump has denied the allegations, calling the verdict “grossly unjust” and accusing the judge of bias.
The appeal will be argued before a five-judge panel, with both sides presenting their case. Trump’s lawyers argue that the judge exceeded his authority and that some allegations should have been barred by the statute of limitations. They also claim that the state should not be involved in policing private business transactions.
The original verdict found that Trump had inflated his net worth by several billion dollars on financial statements, resulting in a penalty of nearly $500 million. Trump posted a bond to halt collection of the judgment while appealing the case. The court is expected to rule before Election Day, and if either side is unhappy with the outcome, they can appeal to the state’s highest court or even the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case has garnered significant attention as it could have implications for Trump’s financial future and his political aspirations. The outcome will be closely watched by both supporters and critics of the former president.
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