Comment Section for Trump Ordered to Pay Over $350 Million in NY Civil Fraud Trial Ruling - The New York Times

The webpage is a New York Times article detailing the outcome of a civil fraud trial involving former President Donald J. Trump. According to the ruling by Justice Arthur F. Engoron, Trump has been ordered to pay a $355 million penalty for conspiring to manipulate his net worth. This financial blow may consume all of his liquid assets. Additionally, Trump and his adult sons have been barred from leading any New York business for three years and two years, respectively. The sons were also ordered to pay over $4 million each. Despite these developments, Trump's real estate holdings mean the ruling will not bankrupt him. The outcome of the trial is expected to heavily impact Trump's business empire, which is already under scrutiny from four criminal prosecutions. The court's decision to extend an independent monitor's appointment for another three years compounds the effect. The New York attorney general, Letitia James, sought these penalties and more, including a permanent ban from New York's business sphere for Trump. James accused Trump of inflating his net worth to gain favorable treatment from lenders in a 2022 lawsuit that precipitated the trial. This ruling marks a significant win for James and a second major courtroom loss for Trump in two months, following a defamation case. Trump also faces a criminal trial in Manhattan next month, in addition to three other criminal cases. Despite these legal challenges, Trump defended his record in New York during the trial.