Judge rejects Trump bid to pause payment of $454 million fraud penalty amid appeal

A New York judge on Wednesday rejected former President Donald Trump's bid to pause enforcement of a $454 million civil fraud penalty from state Attorney General Letitia James's prosecution while he appeals the decision.

Judge Arthur Engoron, earlier this month, levied the penalty after determining that Trump could be held liable for fraud. James had alleged that Trump manipulated the value of his assets to secure favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums.

Judge Anil Singh rejected Trump's proposal to post $100 million bond instead of the full amount, but did pause an order preventing him from seeking loans from New York banks for three years, the Associated Press reported. Trump's attorneys had proposed the partial payment to secure a stay on collection earlier the same day.

Trump has appealed Engoron's judgement and has asked the court to consider whether he "committed errors of law and/or fact" or abused his discretion over the matter. 

In his order, Engoron fined Trump nearly $355 million in penalties, as well as roughly $100 million in interest. James, for her part, has suggested that she may move to seize Trump's assets, including his New York properties, if he is unable to pay the sum.

"We are prepared to make sure that the judgment is paid to New Yorkers, and yes, I look at 40 Wall Street each and every day," she said earlier this month, in reference to the Trump building.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.