Former President Trump Fined $5,000 for Violating Gag Order in New York Civil Fraud Trial
Former President Donald Trump has been fined $5,000 by a New York Supreme Court judge for violating a gag order in a civil fraud trial brought against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The gag order, issued by Justice Arthur Engoron, prohibited both parties from making statements that attack court staff. However, President Trump’s legal team was found to have made a blatant violation of the order.
The violation occurred when President Trump made a post about the judge’s clerk on his campaign website, which remained up for 17 days despite the order. In response, Justice Engoron admonished the team and issued the fine, stating that President Trump had received ample warning about the potential repercussions of violating the gag order. The judge also warned that future violations would result in even more severe sanctions, including steeper financial penalties, holding President Trump in contempt of court, or possibly imprisoning him.
Trump attorney Christopher Kise apologized in court, claiming that the violation was an oversight and not intentional. He explained that the post had been copied onto an in case you missed it page of the campaign website and was not deleted when the original Truth Social post was removed.
Despite the explanation, Justice Engoron stated that he would consider the circumstances and make a decision regarding additional sanctions. He emphasized that President Trump remains responsible for the actions of his campaign. The judge also expressed concern that President Trump’s posts could lead to serious physical harm and worse, indicating the potential consequences of his statements.
The ongoing trial, which commenced on October 2, focuses on the fate of President Trump’s real estate empire. Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit last September, alleging that President Trump had defrauded the state and caused insurers and lenders to take undue risks by inflating his net worth on financial statements. James seeks $250 million in damages and aims to prevent President Trump and other Trump Organization executives, including his adult sons, from holding executive business positions in New York.
Justice Engoron had previously ordered the dissolution of the Trump Organization and its related LLCs; however, an appeals court temporarily halted the order to allow the trial to proceed before reaching a final decision. Witnesses have already testified about the financial statements, with outside accountants stating that they relied on figures provided by Trump Organization executives and did not conduct independent analyses or audits.
In addition to the civil fraud trial, President Trump is also subject to a gag order in a federal criminal case in Washington, D.C. Judge Tanya Chutkan has prohibited both the prosecution and defense from targeting legal teams, court staff, and potential witnesses. The order aims to prevent President Trump from potentially intimidating witnesses and influencing jurors through his public platform.
As the trial continues, the outcome will determine the future of President Trump’s real estate empire and his legal standing in New York. The case carries significant implications for both sides, with Attorney General James seeking substantial damages and restrictions on President Trump’s business activities in the state. The violations of the gag order highlight the tensions and challenges surrounding the trial, as well as the consequences for disregarding court orders.
