Letitia James, the Democrat attorney general in the state of New York, is demanding an appeals court restore a $500 million penalty against President Donald Trump that a New York judge created.
It was Arthur Engoron who heard the case in which James alleged Trump and his companies committed fraud.
James, who herself is under investigation now on fraud charges of her own related to alleged lies she submitted on federal mortgage documents, claimed that the companies’ actions left behind damages even though testimony during the trial, which went down without a jury, proved those who made loans to Trump were happy with them, they were all paid off, they made money off Trump and would like to do business with him again.
“Turns out you can’t have your principal residence in Virginia and be AG of New York. You can’t say your dad’s your husband. Or claim a five-unit is a four. But that’s what Letitia James did—while going after Trump for the same thing. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
From Donald… pic.twitter.com/zd9JNaPUvw
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 18, 2025
Engoron and James worked together to create the $500 million penalty, and then tried to arrange requirements so that Trump could not appeal. He did, and the appeals court bluntly said the fine violated the U.S. Constitution.
Now, a report in the Epoch Times reveals that James wants that constitutional violation restored.
The report explains she filed a notice of appeal to the New York Supreme Court, confirming she is appealing.
“The brief notice does not spell out arguments from James as to why the appeal should be allowed,” the report explained.
It was the New York Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department, a branch of the New York Supreme Court, that tossed the penalty in a fractured ruling but left the civil judgment against Trump.
Engoron ruled against Trump in February 2024 and issuing a judgment of more than $460 million, with interest accruing.
Even the appellate judges who thought James’ claims of fraud were justified opposed her penalty.
“Justice David Friedman criticized James, saying she was focused on ‘political hygiene, ending with the derailment of President Trump’s political career and the destruction of his real estate business,’” the report said.
