New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who ruled on Donald Trump’s civil fraud case, has denied the request to delay the more than $350 million fine the former president owes in damages.
“You have failed to explain, much less justify, any basis for a stay,” Judge Engoron wrote in an email Thursday to Trump attorney Clifford Robert. “I am confident that the Appellate Division will protect your appellate rights.”
Attorneys for Mr. Trump had requested a 30-day delay from Judge Engoron, arguing in a letter sent Wednesday that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ “rush to memorialize a ‘judgment’ violates all accepted practice in New York state court and is intended to prejudice Defendants.”
“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-Judgement process, particularly given the magnitude of Judgement,” lawyer Clifford Robert wrote in the letter to Judge Engoron.
An independent monitor had been appointed to oversee the financial disclosures and the transfer of assets.
Judge Engoron ruled Friday that Mr. Trump inflated his networth to get more favorable business loans and ordered him to pay $354 million plus interest on the penalties, which brings his total to more than $450 million. The amount grows until he pays. The former president is also barred from doing business in the state for three years.
Two of Mr. Trump’s adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have to pay their own fines and are barred from doing business for two years.
Mr. Trump and his co-defendants have 30 days to appeal from the date Judge Engoron ruled his decision.