Prosecutor increases demand
New York wants $370 million from Trump
January 6, 2024, 1:36 a.m
The court case in which Donald Trump has to answer for fraud in his real estate empire is likely to be more expensive for the presidential candidate than expected. The state of New York is increasing its previous penalty demand by a whopping $120 million.
In the fraud trial against former US President Donald Trump, the state of New York is demanding a fine of 370 million US dollars (338 million euros). This emerges from a letter from New York State Attorney General Letitia James. So far, the prosecutor’s office had demanded a payment of $250 million from Trump.
Judge Arthur Engoron is expected to decide the sentence in the civil case this month. The proceedings are about the future of the 77-year-old’s corporate empire. Prosecutors accuse Trump, his sons Donald Trump Junior and Eric Trump, and employees of manipulating the value of the Trump Organization for years in order to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. Judge Engoron had already confirmed this in a preliminary hearing before the trial.
The current civil proceedings are now primarily about determining possible penalties and other charges. The Republican Trump is not threatened with a prison sentence or a direct impact on his presidential candidacy, but a conviction could cause him great business damage. In addition to the fine, Trump faces a ban on doing business in New York. The former president wants to be re-elected in 2024. He is the most promising candidate for the Republican nomination. He is using the trial in New York and other proceedings to portray himself as a victim of a political campaign during the election campaign – and thus also collect money.