The substantial civil fraud ruling against Donald Trump was officially confirmed in New York on Friday, solidifying a decision that imposes over $454 million in fines and interest on the former president.
This procedural milestone, handled by the New York county clerk, initiates Trump’s appeals process. Concurrently, it triggers the accumulation of post-judgment interest, amounting to nearly $112,000 daily, as stated by a spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who initiated the legal action.
Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling on February 16th determined that Trump had misrepresented his wealth over an extended period to secure advantageous loans and business deals, sustaining his real estate ventures. The judgment entails penalties of $354.9 million alongside almost $100 million in interest.
The formalized verdict grants Trump a 30-day window to pursue an appeal, a course he has committed to undertaking. Within the same timeframe, he must deposit adequate funds into a court-controlled account or secure a bond covering the entire amount, as outlined by James’s office.
Earlier this week, James indicated plans to seize some of Trump’s assets should he fail to fulfill the financial obligation, though the appeal process is likely to suspend penalty enforcement during its progression.
Trump maintains his innocence. His legal team had sought to postpone filing, engaging in disputes with state attorneys and the judge regarding the content of the paperwork.
On Thursday, Engoron dismissed lawyer Clifford Robert’s plea for a 30-day delay in penalty enforcement, asserting in correspondence: “You have failed to explain, much less justify, any basis for a stay. I am confident that the Appellate Division will protect your appellate rights.”
Effective Friday, Trump’s penalty interest escalates to $111,984 per day, surpassing the previous daily charge of $87,502, as it now incorporates interest on the complete judgment—both the base $355 million penalty and the pre-judgment interest nearing $100 million.
Prior to the verdict, interest on Trump’s penalty was solely computed on the initial penalty sum. Consequently, Trump and his co-defendants face a collective daily interest charge of $114,554 until full payment, based on calculations by The Associated Press.
This includes $1,149 per day from each of Trump’s elder sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and $272 per day from former long-serving Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg. These amounts will continue to accrue during the appeal process, with potential exoneration leading to no financial liability for Trump and his co-defendants.
