NYC campaign seeks money for LA fire victims. The question: Is it real?
Questions are swirling about a campaign on billboards and taxi cabs across New York City asking for donations to help Los Angeles wildfire victims. It turns out that the ads direct people to donate to a private company belonging to an LA-based Instagram influencer instead of one of the other well-known causes.
A photo taken by The City shows a six-sided billboard cube under the famous Coca-Cola ad at West 47th and Broadway Streets. The cube promotes a donation link with the words “Los Angeles is on fire. We need your help.”
The link takes you to Lineo, the newly launched company of 27-year-old Alec Celestin. He describes himself as an “entertainment and tech disruptor, as well as a “mini Elon,” referring to Elon Musk.
His website says the Lineo Rescue Fund is a way to “act when others can’t.” The website mentions his team has gone to LA’s fire danger zones where help is limited.
The site also claims that “every dollar contributes to making an impact” in various ways, including supplies, rebuilding communities and environmental recovery.
The fund’s site claims they have raised more than $280,000. Nearly $270,000 came from Celestin himself, as seen in the donations list.
Celestin’s business ventures have included creating and launching a canned cocktail with fellow influencer Bryce Hall. They’ve also worked with Fanfix, a platform for creators to post paid content for their subscribers.
He’s currently working at a similar company called Passes.
Fanfix sued Celestin, accusing him of stealing internal financial metrics and sharing them with Passes. That court case is still pending.
Celestin told The City he never stole confidential information from the company. Meanwhile, relief efforts are ramping up in response to the LA wildfire destruction. And law enforcement officials are warning people to look out for potential scams.
Celestin has not been accused of any wrongdoing or charged with a crime related to his fundraising campaign.
NY attorney general releases video of prison beating death of Robert Brooks
The New York attorney general’s office released video footage of the beating death of 43-year-old prisoner Robert Brooks. The video shows as many as eight employees of the state Department of Corrections and Community Services punching, kicking and grabbing at Brooks, who had just arrived at the Marcy Correctional Facility.
Brooks was in the middle of serving a 12-year sentence for stabbing an ex-girlfriend in 2016.
The video has no audio on it. New York Attorney General Letitia James said that was because the cameras were in standby mode, meaning the officers had not activated them.
The video captured the incident on Monday, Dec. 9, showing officers carrying Brooks into a medical exam room. It shows officers punching Brooks and one stuffing a white cloth into his mouth.
The attorney general said Brooks died on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 10, just hours after the video’s recording. The corrections department announced Brooks’ death on Sunday, Dec. 15, prompting an investigation under state law.
On Monday, Dec. 23, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the state corrections commissioner to fire 14 officers who were either directly involved or who failed to intervene.
“Like all New Yorkers, I was outraged and horrified after seeing footage of the senseless killing of Robert Brooks,” Hochul said. “I have been clear that it is the responsibility of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody, and I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility.”
This isn’t the first time that the Marcy Correctional Facility has faced scrutiny for its treatment of prisoners.
The Correctional Association of New York, a prison watchdog, released a report following a 2022 visit to Marcy. They said they found “rampant abuse by staff” and “pervasive allegations of racial discrimination.”
New York AG won’t drop Trump’s multi-million dollar civil fraud penalty
The New York attorney general’s office has rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s attempt to end a multi-million dollar penalty in his civil fraud case. The case went to trial last year, and a New York judge found that Trump and his business had inflated the values of properties on financial statements used to obtain favorable loan and insurance rates.
The judge ordered Trump to pay $454 million, including interest.
Trump appealed, while the appeals court has yet to issue a decision.
Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale wrote in a letter to Trump’s attorney that they denied his call for New York Attorney General Letitia James to drop the case.
“The ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the president’s official duties in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution,” Vale said.
James’ office added that Trump, as president, is not immune from civil cases that are not connected to his official office duties.
Trump’s move is his latest attempt to eliminate his legal cases before he returns to the White House next month.
Special counsel Jack Smith has agreed to dismiss criminal indictments. Those indictments charged Trump with overthrowing the 2020 election and improperly handling classified documents. He cited the Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president.
NY appeals panel signals skepticism over state’s $464M Trump judgment
A New York appeals panel is expressing skepticism about the state’s civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, which resulted in a $464 million judgment against him and his business. During a hearing Thursday, Sept. 26, the five-judge panel raised significant questions regarding the authority of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Justice John Higgitt questioned potential overreach, asking, “How do we draw a line, or at least put up some guardrails, to know when the AG is operating well within her broad — admittedly broad — sphere … and when she is going into an area that wasn’t intended for her jurisdiction?”
In February, a lower court found Trump and his organization guilty of falsely inflating his net worth to gain tax benefits and secure better business deals. Trump’s attorney argued that the state’s case was filed too late, relied on outdated financial statements and resulted in an unjustified “crippling penalty.”
Trump’s legal team stated that banks he worked with found no evidence of fraud in their dealings with The Trump Organization. The state faced interruptions during its opening remarks justifying the case against Trump, as justices pressed on whether precedents exist for suing sophisticated partners like Trump.
“I’ve gone through the cases you’ve cited, and all of them always involved consumer protection — the protection of the market. You don’t have anything like that here,” Justice David Friedman said.
Trump has posted a $175 million bond to prevent the state from collecting the judgment while his appeal is pending. However, interest continues to accrue, adding an extra $25 million to the original $464 million judgment.
A decision on Trump’s appeal is expected in the coming months but is not anticipated before Election Day.
10 more states join DOJ’s antitrust suit against Live Nation, Ticketmaster
There’s more trouble for Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation as 10 more states have joined the antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice, 29 states and the District of Columbia in May. The suit accused Ticketmaster of acting as a monopoly and inflating concert ticket prices following outrage by consumers — specifically Taylor Swift fans who had trouble accessing tickets to her Eras tour.
The attorneys generals of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont joined the case on Monday, Aug. 19, as the DOJ issued an amended complaint with more allegations against the live entertainment companies.
Along with the DOJ’s goals of breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster and “restoring competition in the live concert industry,” states are now seeking treble damages for what they say fans were overcharged. With claims being filed under federal anti-monopoly laws, states now have the ability to seek three times the monetary damages.
“It’s time for a new era where fans, venues and artists are not taken advantage of by big corporations that run the world of live events,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in statement.
The DOJ said Live Nation owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America, and through Ticketmaster, it controls roughly 80% or more of major venues’ primary ticketing for concerts.
The suit said internal Live Nation documents indicated Ticketmaster is the primary ticketer for about 80% of the U.S. arenas that host NBA or NHL teams, adding no other rival ticketed more than 14%.
“Live Nation’s anticompetitive conduct has not only harmed fans in the form of more and higher fees, but also undermines innovation,” the complaint reads. “Competition increases the array and quality of services available and makes it easier for fans to find and see artists they love.”
In response to the amended complaint, a Live Nation spokesperson told Reuters the lawsuit “still won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows.”
The spokesperson added, “We look forward to sharing more facts as the case progresses.”
VP Harris secures enough delegate support to become Democratic nominee
The Democratic Party rallies around Kamala Harris, with the vice president securing enough delegate support to be the party’s nominee. And the story of a 21-year-old archer looking to make her mark at the Olympics. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
VP Harris secures enough delegate support to become Democratic nominee
Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the majority of Democratic delegates’ support across more than half of U.S. states — enough to potentially win the party’s nomination to become the presidential candidate. Harris will make her first campaign stop in Wisconsin Tuesday, July 23, as endorsements and donations continue to pour in.
She could become the party’s nominee by Aug. 7, when delegates vote in a Democratic National Convention “virtual roll call” well ahead of the actual convention on Aug. 19.
Harris has also secured another big endorsement — former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And in the first 24 hours of campaigning, Harris raised a staggering $81 million.
On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump’s newly announced vice presidential pick J.D. Vance made his first solo campaign appearance in Virginia on Monday, July 22, during which he said Vice President Harris “is a million times worse” than President Joe Biden at the head of the Democratic ticket.
Netanyahu visits the U.S. to meet with Biden, Harris, Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the U.S. for a visit with top political leaders. A meeting with President Joe Biden is reportedly to take place on Thursday, July 25, as the president recovers from COVID-19, with the White House saying he’s nearly symptom-free.
On Wednesday, July 24, Netanyahu is set to deliver a speech to Congress. He’s expected to thank the U.S. for its ongoing support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
Netanyahu is focused on shoring up bipartisan support for Israel as the country continues to fight not only Hamas but is facing growing security threats from Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon and Yemen.
Netanyahu says Israel will still be a “key U.S. ally” to whoever replaces lame-duck President Joe Biden.
The prime minister is also expected to meet with presidential candidate Kamala Harris during his visit. Reports show he has also reached out to former President Trump to potentially meet with him before departing the U.S., but it’s unclear if that meeting will take place this week.
In their appeal Monday, July 22, Trump’s attorneys called the ruling “draconian” and repeated arguments they used during the bench trial The attorneys said allegations made by New York’s attorney general were outside the statute of limitations and revolved around deals that had “no victims and no losses.”
A spokesperson for the New York State attorney general said they are confident this appeal will go nowhere.
An appeals court says it will hear oral arguments in late September.
House Republicans want CrowdStrike CEO to testify over outage
Congress is calling on CrowdStrike’s CEO to testify over the July 19 outage that grounded multiple airlines, knocked banks and hospitals offline, and impacted millions around the world. Impacts from the software glitch are still being felt, especially by Delta Air Lines.
Delta saw hundreds more flight cancellations on Monday, July 22, due to its “crew-tracking software” still not working right after CrowdStrike’s disruption.
Republican leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee said they want CEO George Kurtz to explain what exactly went wrong.
So far, it has been revealed a glitched update to CrowdStrike’s security software caused computers powered by Microsoft Windows to crash. Microsoft said on Saturday, July 20, about 8.5 million devices were affected.
Lawmakers call on Secret Service director to resign during testimony
On Monday, July 22, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before Congress. She answered questions surrounding Trump’s near assassination at a Pennsylvania rally.
Since her testimony, both Democrats and Republicans are ramping up their calls for the director to resign over what they call a “botched operation.”
“It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign,” Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., told her.
“If you have an assassination attempt on a president, a former president or a candidate, you need to resign,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., added.
Cheatle responded, saying, “I think that I am the best person to lead the Secret Service at this time.”
Members were openly frustrated with Cheatle and demanded answers about the agency’s planning for the rally and the ongoing investigation into the shooting. She was largely unable or unwilling to provide information.
“I’m unable to answer details of exactly how the individual accessed the roof at this time,” Cheatle said. “I personally do not review security plans for events that take place across the country.”
You can read more in Ray Bogan’s full report here.
FAA investigating Southwest flight that flew just 150 ft. over Tampa waters
Federal investigators want to know why a Southwest Airlines jet flew as low as 150 feet above water while still five miles out from the Tampa Bay airport where it was set to land. The incident happened on July 14.
The Federal Aviation Administration says that far out from its designated landing spot, the plane should have been more than 1,000 feet above the water.
The flight from Columbus, Ohio was flying through stormy weather when it happened and ended up being rerouted to Fort Lauderdale as a result of the storms.
A similar incident happened last month in Oklahoma City, when a Southwest jet flew unusually low while still miles away from the airport. The FAA is still investigating that incident, as well.
21-year-old archer looking to make her mark at Olympic games
A 21-year-old archer is looking to make her mark at her first Olympic games as a member of Team USA. San Diego’s Catalina Gnoriega is on target for the Paris games.
“It’s a dream come true,” Gnoriega said. “There are so many people who dream of that for so long and work so hard. It’s really such a good feeling. It’s a dream come true to be able to say I made it. I’m going to go compete there.”
First picking up the bow and arrow at age 12, Gnoriega gravitated to the independence the sport provides an athlete and the opportunity to hone your craft while staying in the zone.
“It’s hard to pinpoint what it is exactly, but I like that it’s individual and like I’m able to focus on myself, I was always like that, especially when I was a kid, that drew me in,” Gnoriega said. “All I had to do was show up and shoot.”
Now 21, whether she’s competing as an individual or part of a team, Gnoriega will have her parents there in Paris to cheer her on. She says they’re the ones who supported her through it all, as she proudly represents her Mexican-American heritage as a member of Team USA.
“It’s crazy,” Gnoriega said. “It’s such an honor. It’s crazy to think that I’m on the same team as someone like Simone Biles and these other people who are incredible — I’m on that same team. That’s such an incredible feeling. I just can’t believe it.”
And she’s now on the hunt for her next target — Olympic medals.
“The goal would be to get medals, but overall, I just want to go have fun,” Gnoriega said. “Do what I know how to do. Just shoot and trust myself and enjoy it because it, hopefully, it’s not just once, but it’s kind of like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just want to enjoy it.”
NRA back in court for phase 2 of civil corruption trial
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and its top executives are back in court for phase two of the civil corruption trial brought forward by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge will decide whether to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group.
During phase one, a jury found that three top executives misspent millions of dollars of the organization’s money on personal expenses, including trips to exotic locations and private jet rides.
The jurors also determined that the organization omitted or misrepresented information in its tax filings and broke New York state whistleblower protection law.
Former CEO Wayne LaPierre was ordered to pay $4.4 million back to the NRA. The retired CFO, Wilson Phillips, was ordered to pay $2 million.
During phase two, the judge will also decide whether LaPierre should face additional punishments, beyond the monetary payments.
“The focal point for ‘phase two’ is the NYAG’s burden to show that any violation of any law is ‘continuing’ and persistent at the NRA,” William Brewer, an attorney for the NRA, told The Associated Press. “This is a burden the NYAG cannot meet.”
Brewer said the NRA has since made a “course correction” to ensure it complies with all laws. He called a court-appointed monitor unwarranted.
This bench trial is expected to last about two weeks. Current NRA President Bob Barr and CEO Douglas Hamlin are expected to testify.
James filed this lawsuit in 2020 and initially sought to have the organization dissolved but the judge declined.
LaPierre took over as head of the NRA in 1991. During phase one of the trial, he admitted to inappropriately expensing private jet flights for his family and accepting vacations to the Bahamas, Greece and Dubai from vendors doing business with the NRA.
Suspects in Russia concert hall attack appear in court
The U.S. responds to Vladimir Putin’s claims after dozens are killed in a terrorist attack at a Russia concert hall, and—NBC News’ Chuck Todd calls out his own network for a recent hiring during ‘Meet the Press.’ These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, March 25, 2024.
Suspects in Russia concert hall attack appear in court
ISIS has claimed responsibility for a terror attack at a concert hall in Russia on Friday, March 22, resulting in the death of more than 130 people and injuring nearly 200 others.
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In response to the massacre, Russia observed a day of mourning on Sunday, March 24.The four men accused of carrying out the shooting and detonating explosives inside the venue near Moscow were brought to court, displaying visible injuries that Russian media sources suggest were the result of torture during interrogations by security services.
Court documents revealed two of the accused have pleaded guilty, although reports from Russian media indicate three confessions. The suspects, apprehended on Saturday, face life imprisonment. Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted their intention was to flee to Kyiv, a claim Ukrainian officials have refuted.
The United States, aligning with Ukraine, has made a clear statement attributing the attack solely to ISIS, denying any Ukrainian involvement. Furthermore, U.S. officials disclosed that America had previously warned Russia about a potential terrorist attack targeting Moscow earlier in the month and had issued a public caution to Americans in Russia regarding the threat.
Trump faces deadline to secure $454 million bond amid fraud judgment
March 25 marks the deadline for former President Donald Trump to secure a $454 million bond to cover a fraud judgment against him or face the risk of asset seizure. The accusation stems from a civil fraud case alleging Trump inflated his net worth.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who issued the judgment, granted Trump a 30-day grace period, which concludes today. Despite the lack of expected immediate action from James, the potential impact on Trump’s financial stability remains significant.
A substantial portion of Trump’s assets are in real estate, a form of collateral that bond companies typically shy away from. Consequently, Trump has encountered difficulties securing the bond, with more than 30 companies turning down his requests.
In a social media post last week, Trump claimed to have almost $500 million in cash. He has filed an appeal against the judgment, but a decision on the matter is still pending.
Kamala Harris says Israeli operation in Rafah would be a ‘huge mistake’
Vice President Kamala Harris has indicated that the United States may consider “consequences” should Israel proceed with its plans to expand military operations into the city of Rafah, amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. In an interview with ABC News, Harris underscored the Biden administration’s opposition to an invasion of Rafah, labeling any significant military action in the area as a grave error.
“We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way, that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris stated, emphasizing the lack of evacuation options for the city’s residents. “Let me tell you something, I have studied the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go.”
The United Nations has reported that over one million people reside in Rafah, a border city, with the majority having been displaced from other parts of the territory due to the conflict.
Despite objections from the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast in his plans for Rafah, recently affirming the necessity of an attack to defeat Hamas. In the coming week, the Israeli Defense Minister and a separate Israeli delegation are slated to visit Washington to discuss the Gaza war and Rafah plans with top U.S. officials.
Chuck Todd blasts NBC News for hiring former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel
Todd, now serving as NBC News Chief Political Analyst, raised concerns about McDaniel’s credibility and potential conflicts of interest given her new role as a paid contributor.
“Because I don’t know what to believe,” Todd remarked, questioning whether McDaniel’s responses in a recent interview were influenced by her contractual obligations to NBC News. He highlighted the difficulty in discerning whether she was speaking for herself or on behalf of her payers, suggesting McDaniel still has credibility issues to address.
The hiring has reportedly caused discomfort among NBC News journalists, with Todd noting their previous experiences with the RNC involved “gaslighting” and “character assassination.” He emphasized the network executives owe Welker an apology, following her interview with McDaniel, which took place just minutes before Todd’s commentary.
Welker, at the start of the show, informed viewers that McDaniel’s booking occurred weeks prior to NBC’s announcement on Friday, March 22, of her hiring. During the interview, McDaniel stated that individuals charged with attacking the Capitol on January 6 should not be released, contradicting former President Trump’s claims of potential pardons. Additionally, McDaniel acknowledged President Biden’s legitimate victory in the 2020 presidential election, while still mentioning there were voting issues.
Ohtani to address media on gambling scandal involving former interpreter
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is expected to address the media Monday, March 25, for the first time since the firing of his interpreter last week, amidst a gambling scandal shaking Major League Baseball. The incident raises questions about the involvement of the Japanese baseball star’s former interpreter, who was dismissed following allegations of a “massive theft” by Ohtani’s legal team. The accused is said to have diverted millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.
Despite the interpreter’s assertion that Ohtani was uninvolved with the gambling charges, the athlete has remained silent on the issue, including the circumstances leading to his friend and interpreter’s dismissal. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts has publicly supported Ohtani’s decision to speak out, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the situation.
Ohtani, who last December signed the largest contract in baseball history — a 10-year agreement valued at $700 million — finds his career at a critical juncture as MLB launches an investigation into the gambling allegations linked to his former interpreter.
The league’s probe aims to uncover the depth of the gambling issue and its impact on one of baseball’s leading figures. Monday’s press conference with Ohtani is highly anticipated, offering potential clarity on his stance and the broader implications for MLB.
Global support pours in for Princess Kate after cancer diagnosis
Worldwide reactions continue to emerge after Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of Prince William, heir to the British throne, revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer. In a video released on Friday, Kate shared news of her condition and her ongoing treatment.
On Friday, March 22, a video was posted on social media by Kensington Palace detailing Kate’s health journey. “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and, at the time, it was believed my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, but subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer,” Kate stated. She is now undergoing preventative chemotherapy and is in the early stages of treatment.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their support on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”
Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, also shared her sentiments: “I am deeply saddened to hear about Princess Kate’s diagnosis. Amidst the trials she faces, her strength and grace continue to shine brightly.”
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, offered their wishes for Kate’s health and healing, hoping for privacy and peace for the family during this time.
Amidst the outpouring of support, some public figures addressed the speculation and rumors that had spread prior to the announcement. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis urged respect and positive wishes for Kate and her family, criticizing the conspiracy theories that had been circulating on social media.
Olivia Munn, who recently disclosed her own battle with breast cancer, thanked Kate for demonstrating grace and determination in the face of adversity.
Over the weekend, Kate and William expressed their appreciation for the global support, stating they were “enormously touched by the kind messages” received from around the world. The couple’s acknowledgment highlights the widespread concern and solidarity from people and notable figures across the globe.
Frank Luntz: Why seizing Trump properties would elect him in 2024
Former President Donald Trump has until Monday, March 25, to post a $464 million bond in his New York civil fraud case. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he has almost $500 million cash. While his team previously said he couldn’t secure loans after trying dozens of companies, the social media post suggests Trump may have the money to cover the judgment.
“Through hard work, talent and luck, I currently have almost $500 million in cash, a substantial amount of which I intended to use in my campaign for president,” Trump said in his Truth post. “The often overturned political hack judge on the rigged and corrupt case, where I have done nothing wrong, knew this, and wanted to take it away from me.”
While Trump claims to have the money, the post didn’t mention whether he would use it to cover the bond. Currently, Trump’s team is appealing the judge’s ruling and — while there’s the possibility the court dismisses the case — New York law requires a defendant to put up the judgment amount while the appeal plays out.
If Trump doesn’t post the bond, then his properties are at stake. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed paperwork to seize assets in Westchester County just one week after the judge’s ruling, fully preparing for the possibility that Trump doesn’t pay the bond.
While the filing doesn’t name any specific assets, Trump has a golf course, Trump National Golf Club, and his 212-acre Seven Springs Estate in Westchester County.
These properties could be some James considers seizing and selling. Other properties in New York City are also on the table. No additional filings had to be made for those since it’s where the trial took place.
Frank Luntz, a GOP pollster and Straight Arrow News commentary contributor, was on CNN with a political warning if Trump’s properties are seized by the attorney general.
While it would hurt Trump financially, Luntz said it could bolster him politically and hand him the presidency. Trump went up in the polls every time there was an indictment against him.
“I want you to remember this moment and don’t forget it,” Luntz said. “If the New York attorney general starts to take his homes away and seize his assets, it’s all going to be on camera, pundits are going to start screaming about this, ‘This man cannot be elected,’ and you’re going to create the greatest victimhood of 2024 and you’re going to elect Donald Trump.”
The Biden campaign has recently dubbed Trump as “broke Don.” Not only is the former president doling out hundreds of millions in multiple cases against him, but Trump’s campaign is also well behind Biden’s fundraising numbers. According to new campaign finance reports, Biden has twice as much cash on hand than the former president.
Trump has to pay $464 million appeal bond but can’t secure cash. What’s next?
Former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York City began in October of 2023. Six months later, Trump faces a deadline on Monday, March 25, to pay a $464 million judgement as an appeal continues to play out.
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought forth the civil fraud case and Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Trump inflated his worth to get better bank loans, ordering him to pay $454 million dollars to the state.
The case is unprecedented.
“An Associated Press analysis of nearly 70 years of civil cases under the law showed that such a penalty has only been imposed a dozen previous times, and Trump’s case stands apart in a significant way: It’s the only big business found that was threatened with a shutdown without a showing of obvious victims and major losses,” the report stated.
Under New York law, Trump must pay 110% of the judgment while he appeals, even if he might later get the judgment dismissed.
Since the judgment against him is $454 million, his appeal bond is $464 million.
Trump’s team said it has tried securing the bond amount with over 30 companies but calls it a “practical impossibility”
Trump was given a 30-day deadline to pay, which expires on Monday. However, there’s no indication yet that he has secured the cash. Questions have arisen about why a billionaire like Trump is seemingly unable to come up with the money. Another billionaire has defended Trump, noting that net worth is different than cash in the bank.
Trump claims he is a billionaire. But he can’t pay a $464 million judgement. That means he is lying. How do I know? Math.#TrumpIsBrokehttps://t.co/OSS0nR8d6r
If Trump doesn’t secure the money, the state could give him more time or compromise on a lower amount. However, Attorney General James has already said Trump’s assets will be on the line.
Trump’s fortune lies in real estate, and James can legally begin the process of seizing and selling Trump properties as early as next week. Not only is there the $464 million price tag on the bond but interest is also accruing. Each day, $111,000 is tacked on.
Trump has asked an appeals court to give him more time or accept a $100 million bond rather than the current ask of nearly half a billion. It’s not certain if the appeals court would grant him a grace period before Monday’s hard deadline.