Former United States President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay more than $350 million in damages by a New York judge in a civil fraud case. In the final ruling pertaining to the case delivered on Friday, the judge also banned Trump from doing business in the state for three years. The former US President slammed the court's ruling, calling it a “complete and total sham".
According to the BBC, Trump has denied committing fraud and is expected to launch an appeal, which would put the decision on hold until a higher court reviews the case. In order to avoid paying the fine or having his personal assets seized, he still has to deposit the full amount within 30 days, BBC reported.
The trial of the case lasted for more than two months, with testimony sometimes tempestuous from 40 witnesses, including the former US President Trump himself, his adult children and top Trump Organisation executives.
Justice System In New York State, US Under Assault: Donald Trump
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform after the court's decision, Trump said the justice system in New York State and the US as a whole is under assault by "partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors." He also said that he helped New York City during its worst of times, and now, while it is overrun with Violent Biden Migrant Crime, the Radicals are doing all they can to kick him out.
“The Justice System in New York State, and America as a whole, is under assault by partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors. Racist, Corrupt A.G. Tish James has been obsessed with “Getting Trump” for years, and used Crooked New York State Judge Engoron to get an illegal, unAmerican judgment against me, my family, and my tremendous business. I helped New York City during its worst of times, and now, while it is overrun with Violent Biden Migrant Crime, the Radicals are doing all they can to kick me out……,” Trump said.
Donald Trump Accused Judge Arthur Engoron Of Targeting Him
In another post on Truth Social, Trump accused Judge Arthur Engoron of targeting him in the case. He called the decision in the New York case a "witch hunt" and said that he was fined USD 355 million based on nothing other than having built a "great company."
"Page 3: This "case" is OVER ever since the Appellate Division ended it on Statute of Limitations, also letting my daughter Ivanka out of this Witch Hunt. The Democrat Club-controlled Judge Engoron has already been reversed four times on this case, a shameful record, and he will be reversed again. We cannot let injustice stand, and will fight Crooked Joe Biden's weaponized persecution at every step. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," the former US President said.
Trump Calls Decision 'Complete And Total Sham'
Terming the decision a "complete and total sham," Trump stated that there were no victims and there were no damages caused.
In another post on Truth Social, the former US President said, "Page 2: This "decision" is a Complete and Total SHAM. There were No Victims, No Damages, No Complaints. Only satisfied Banks and Insurance Companies (which made a ton of money), GREAT Financial Statements, that didn't even include the most valuable Asset - The TRUMP Brand, IRONCLAD Disclaimers (Buyer Beware, and Do your Own Due Diligence), and amazing Properties all over the World. All the other side had was a ridiculous USD 18 million valuation of magnificent Mar-a-Lago, an unconstitutional Gag Order, a Consumer Fraud Statute never before used for this purpose, No Jury allowed, and a refusal to send this disgusting charade to the Commercial Division, where it would have been put to a deserving end."
'Manifest Injustice': Trump's Lawyer On Court Ruling
Trump's lawyer Alina Habba termed the ruling a "manifest injustice" and the culmination of a "multi-year, politically fueled witch hunt that was designed to 'take down Donald Trump'," ANI reported, citing The Hill.