Judge rejects delay on Trump civil fraud fines

Judge Arthur Engoron has rejected a bid from former President Donald Trump's legal team to delay payment of the roughly $355 million in fines and $100 million in interest stemming from New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James's civil fraud case.

"You have failed to explain, much less justify, any basis for a stay... I am confident that the Appellate Division will protect your appellate rights," Engoron wrote to Trump attorney Clifford Robert in an email CBS obtained.

Trump on Wednesday asked Engoron for a 30-day extension to pay the sum, asserting that "[g]iven that the court-appointed monitor continues to be in place, there is no prejudice to the Attorney General in briefly staying enforcement to allow for an orderly post-Judgment process, particularly given the magnitude of Judgment."

Apart from the fines, Engoron barred Trump from serving as an officer or director in any New York firm for three years. The former president is expected to appeal the decision. James, for her part, has suggested that she may seek to seize Trump's real estate assets should he not have the cash to pay the fines.

"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 week, referencing one of Trump's signature properties in New York.

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