Trump civil fraud penalty to be announced as New York AG seeks $370 million fine, business ban

New York Judge Arthur Engoron may announce the penalties against former President Donald Trump as soon as Wednesday in the civil fraud case brought by New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, who is asking the court to fine the former president more than $370 million and ban him and his two eldest sons from serving as officials of any business in the state.

Engoron already ruled in September that Trump could be held liable for inflating his assets for years to secure better terms for loans and insurance. After the monthslong trial on damages concluded nearly three weeks ago, Engoran said he planned to issue a full decision in the case by Jan. 31.

Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, may potentially escape the lifetime business ban. Engoron indicated skepticism at the trial regarding whether the two sons were responsible for conspiracy and intent to defraud, even though he already found them both liable for fraud in his September ruling.

"What evidence do you have – I just haven’t seen it – that they knew that there was fraud?" Engoron asked the attorney general's office during closing arguments, according to CNN.

However, even if Engoron does issue his decision Wednesday, the legal battle is still far from over. Trump already appealed Engoron's earlier ruling finding him liable for fraud, and he has pledged to appeal whatever punishment Engoron issues.

This case is separate from the New York state criminal charges Trump pleaded not guilty to last year. That trial, regarding the alleged falsification of business records, is scheduled to begin at the end of March. 

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