Appellate ruling on Trump’s $500M fine may not be – Business News
The state Appellate Division properly ruled that the half-billion-dollar fine levied on President Trump for allegedly “overvaluing” his properties resembling 40 Wall Street was unconstitutionally “excessive.” It must be the final phrase on the matter — nevertheless it may not be.
The determination was a rebuke to state Attorney General Letitia James, who introduced the malicious and politically motivated “fraud” case in opposition to Trump, and to state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, who signed off on the absurd $500 million penalty James wished.
State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron has been reversed a minimum of 3 times in high-profile real estate instances. AP
But as a result of the Appellate determination wasn’t unanimous, it faces a doubtless review earlier than the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest judicial physique. Its seven members, all of whom had been appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul or former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have a majority, strongly leftist tilt.
The Trump case, it’s value recalling, marks a minimum of the third time Engoron was reversed in a high-profile civil case involving real estate.
State Attorney General Letitia James introduced the fraud forged in opposition to President Trump. Gregory P. Mango
Engoron was unanimously shot down by the Appellate judges final 12 months after he blocked a plan for a mixed-use project at 250 Water St. close to the South Street Seaport. His spurious and immaterial rationale was a supposedly “impermissible” relationship between the developer and the Landmarks Preservation Commission — merely an excuse to torpedo a plan he didn’t like.
The Trump Building at 40 Wall St. was a property that was allegedly overvalued. ZUMAPRESS.com
In early 2020, the Appellates additionally unanimously overturned Engoron’s determination to reject plans for tall new towers on the Lower East Side though the law clearly allowed them. He mentioned, “You can’t just do this because the zoning allows it.”
If there’s any justice, Engoron will strike out again for good.
