In a significant legal maneuver, New York Attorney General Letitia James has submitted a detailed 132-page opposition to former President Donald Trump’s plea for a stay on his civil fraud trial ruling, as revealed by court records. This comprehensive rebuttal, filed with the New York Supreme Court appellate division, constitutes a thorough challenge to Trump’s ability to meet the financial obligations imposed by Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling, which surpasses the staggering sum of $450 million.
The essence of the Attorney General’s argument revolves around Trump’s purported incapacity to furnish the requisite funds to comply with the court’s directive. They assert that Trump has yet to furnish evidence demonstrating his financial capability to fulfill the obligations delineated by the court. Specifically, they cast doubt on the reliability of Trump’s liquid assets, pointing out the potential inadequacy of these assets to fully satisfy the judgment amount, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding Trump’s ongoing legal entanglements and pre-existing financial liabilities.
The Attorney General’s office underscores the myriad legal challenges confronting Trump, including his involvement in four separate criminal court cases and the substantial $83.3 million judgment against him in a defamation lawsuit brought forth by writer E. Jean Carroll. These factors, in conjunction with Trump’s existing financial obligations, are posited as significant hurdles that could impede the enforcement process following an appeal.
Moreover, the prosecutors express apprehension regarding the possibility of Trump resorting to tactics aimed at evading or obstructing the enforcement of the judgment if a full bond or deposit is not forthcoming. They highlight the potential risks associated with Trump’s financial predicament, emphasizing the looming threat posed by outstanding judgments and criminal indictments, which could exacerbate the challenges associated with enforcing the judgment post-appeal.
This comprehensive response comes in the wake of Trump’s plea to deposit a mere $100 million of the total judgment amount while simultaneously pursuing an appeal. Trump faces a pivotal deadline of March 25, coinciding with the commencement of his criminal hush money trial in New York, within which he must secure approval for his requested stay or furnish a bond.
The news of this filing was shared by former prosecutor Joyce Vance, who underscored Trump’s apparent anxiety regarding the formidable judgment against him in the New York civil fraud case.