Judge Engoron delivered a significant blow to former President Donald Trump, ordering him to pay a staggering $372 million in fines following an 11-week trial. The case, brought by the New York Attorney General, alleged a pattern of fraudulent business practices by Trump over many years.
In addition to the hefty financial penalty, Trump was stripped of his business certificates in the State of New York, effectively halting his ability to conduct business in the state. While the Attorney General sought to ban Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from conducting business in New York for three years, Judge Engoron declined the request due to insufficient evidence of their involvement in their father's schemes.
Previously, Engoron found Trump liable on some counts and revoked his business licenses accordingly, pending appeal. However, with this latest ruling, the fines and suspension on remaining counts are expected to proceed, signaling a significant legal setback for Trump.
The judge's decision underscores Trump's repeated inflation of assets on financial statements to secure favorable financing, a practice deemed fraudulent by the court. Trump's legal team argued that disclaimer language rendered these statements "worthless," but Judge Engoron disagreed, emphasizing Trump's duty to make genuine financial disclosures despite any disclaimer
