Letitia James' lawyers get mangled by justices

In New York, a panel of five judges at the Appellate Division, First Department heard arguments surrounding former President Donald Trump’s appeal, and the panel’s line of questioning seems to cast doubts on several core aspects of the state’s allegations. The judges raised probing questions about the use of a consumer fraud statute, the scale of the financial penalties pursued by the prosecutors, and the private nature of the transactions involved.

 

These points echoed key defense arguments that, despite not prevailing at the initial lengthy trial, seem to hold substantial weight. Notably, Trump was not present at Thursday’s hearing. The New York judges scrutinized the state prosecutors’ rationale for imposing a staggering $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump. The appellate court questioned the justification for such a hefty penalty and sought clarity on the actual harm incurred, especially since the transactions in question reportedly resulted in no financial loss to either party.