New York Appellate Court Finds Trump Committed Pervasive Fraud

Still no reason to be happy

Today a New York appeals court vacated the $500 million judgement against Trump for civil fraud when inflating his property values to gain more favorable loans. Expect to hear, in the near future, claims that this decision was a "complete vindication" (or words to that effect) from Trump and his supporters. When you hear such words, know that they are complete lies.

First and foremost the appeals court agreed that Trump committed the fraud, all of the fraud the lower court found him liable for. The only conclusion was that this fine was obsessive, not that no punishment is deserved. In fact, the court left in place the injunctions against the business, and remanded the matter of fines for further consideration. Some actual quotes from the opinion of the court:

"[We] find that Supreme Court correctly founddefendants liable. We agree with Supreme Court [which in NY is the lower trial court] that the Attorney General acted well within her lawful power in bringing this action, and that she vindicated a public interest in doing so."

Does that sound like complete vindication?

"While the injunctive relief ordered by the court iswell crafted to curb defendants’ business culture, the court’s disgorgement order, which directs that defendants pay nearly half a billion dollars to the State of New York, is an excessive fine that violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution."

Thus some fine is appropriate, just one of a lesser amount. Finally:

"the record at trial overwhelmingly supportsSupreme Court’s finding of liability for violations of the Penal Law."

Any part of that you don't understand about the evidence supporting that Trump committed fraud?

You can read the court’s ruling HERE.