A US court has ordered Donald Trump to pay nearly $355 million after pleading guilty to fraud and banning him from running a business in New York state for 3 years.
Trump, who is almost certain to be the Republican presidential nominee in November, was found responsible for illegally inflating his wealth and manipulating property values to obtain favorable bank loans or insurance terms, AFP reported.
Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, called the decision "a blatant injustice" and vowed to appeal.
Since the case is civil and not criminal, there is no threat of imprisonment. But before the ruling, Trump said the ban on doing business in New York state would resemble a "corporate death sentence."
Trump, who faces 91 criminal charges in other cases, has used his legal woes to fire up his supporters. He also blamed his likely opponent, President Joe Biden, saying the lawsuits were "just a way to hurt me in the election."
However, Judge Arthur Engoron said the financially crushing penalties were justified given the Republican candidate's conduct.
Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., were also found liable in the case and ordered to pay $4,013,024 each.
It was as a construction contractor and businessman in New York that Trump built his public profile, which he used as a springboard to the entertainment industry and eventually to the presidency./BGNES