Below is my column in Fox.com on the New York opinion tossing out the grotesque half-billion-dollar fine imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron. Despite the support of many lawyers and pundits, Engoron could not get a single judge to agree with him on the fine.
Here is the column:
In New York, a court revealed that a leading citizen had cooked the books by inflating questionable figures without any support in reality. Moreover, his wild overvaluation was widely viewed as motivated by his self-aggrandizement. The final reported figures are so absurdly inflated that they were rejected in their entirety. In the end, he was off by over half a billion dollars.
That man is Judge Arthur Engoron.
After a New York appellate court unanimously threw out Engoron’s absurd half-a-billion-dollar judgment and interest against President Donald Trump, the irony was crushing. It was Engoron who seemed, as he characterized Trump witnesses, as having “simply denied reality.” It made his notorious reliance on an assessment of Mar-a-Lago as worth between $18 million and $27.6 million seem like good accounting.
In the end, he could not get a single judge to preserve a single dollar of that fine.
For some of us who covered that trial, the most vivid image of Engoron came at the start. He indicated that he did not want cameras in the courtroom, but when the networks showed up, Engoron took off his glasses and seemed to pose for the cameras.
It was a “Sunset Boulevard” moment. We only need Gloria Swanson looking into the camera to speak to “those wonderful people out there in the dark!” and announcing “all right, [Ms. James], I’m ready for my close-up.”
The close-up was not a good idea, and, on appeal, it was perfectly disastrous. The court found little legal or factual basis for his fine. The purported witnesses not only did not lose a dime, but they testified that they made money on the loans and wanted new loans with the Trump administration. That did not move Engoron. From the start, he was speaking to those “wonderful people out there.”
You did not have to go far. In both the civil and criminal trials of Trump in New York, there was a carnival atmosphere in the street outside the courthouse. It was really not derangement as much as delirium. Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James had injected lawfare directly into the veins of New Yorkers. Pledging in her campaign to bag Trump (without bothering to name any crime or violation), James was elected based on her recreational rather than legal appeal.
Yet, James could not have succeeded if she had not had a judge willing to ignore reality and cook the books on the fines. She needed a partner in lawfare. She needed Engoron.
Even for some anti-Trump commentators, the judgment was impossible to defend and some acknowledged that they had never seen any case like this one brought in New York.
Judge David Friedman gave Engoron a close-up that would have made Swanson wince. He detailed how the underlying law “has never been used in the way it is being used in this case – namely, to attack successful, private, commercial transactions, negotiated at arm’s length between highly sophisticated parties fully capable of monitoring and defending their own interests.”
He accused Engoron of participating in an effort clearly directed by James as “ending with the derailment of President Trump’s political career and the destruction of his real estate business.”
Other judges said that Engoron’s fine was so off base and engorged that it was an unconstitutional order under the Eighth Amendment, protecting citizens from “cruel and unusual” punishments. So, Engoron not only inflated the figures but shredded the Constitution in his effort to deliver a blow against Trump.
Trump can now appeal the residual parts of the Engoron decision imposing limits on the Trump family doing business in New York. Some of those limits could be moot by the time of any final judgment. Ironically, if Engoron had shown a modicum of restraint, he might have secured a victory. During the trial in New York, I said that he would have been smart to impose a dollar fine and limited injunctive relief. That, however, required a modicum of judicial restraint and judgment.
Instead, Engoron chose to walk down the stairway into infamy. He was off by half a billion dollars, which could put him in the Bernie Madoff class of judges.
In other words, if he wanted to be remembered on that first day, Arthur Engoron succeeded.
First an earthquake, now a drought.
Russia should change its evil ways.
“First an earthquake, now a drought.
Russia should change its evil ways.”
Hillary gave them a reset button. Guess they didn’t press it.
In one sense, New York dodged an enormously huge bullet. What if the first appeals court had not allowed Trump to delay payment until the appeal was rendered. And what if Trump could not come up with the original $400 million judgement and what if the state had started seizing his assets and selling them at distressed values.
How do you unroll that, especially since it is anybody’s guess how much highly illiquid assets such as golf courses are worth, and Trump would be entitled to the marked value of the properties, not distressed sale value. In addition, he could be entitled to compensation for intangibles such as damage to his reputation. At a minimum, this would have guaranteed full employment for half the lawyers, accounts, and appraisers for 10 years if not more.
It’s too late. Big money, which was already fleeing the high taxes and overregulation, is now stampeding out of New York altogether. The lawfare only added gas to the fire. In a few years all that will be left is a circle of socialists stealing from each other.
I must say, now that the most spastic of our trolls has finally showed up for her shift, the response is highly amusing. But but but. But nothing, it’s over. The case for all intents and purposes dead. There is no way that any court is going to resurrect any fine after this body slam of a decision. The rest of the stupid case will fall down on appeal too. Move along please.
Judge Engoron will be spinning the wheel on “The Price is Right” game show
Hand to God, I really thought that contestant actually was Big Tish James.
Seeking robust security guarantees for his nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Donald J. Trump to “give Ukraine the same protection you have given pedophiles.”
Hoping to flatter Trump, Zelenskyy said, “Mr. President, the Ukrainian people ask you to stand strong with them, just as you have stood strong in your refusal to release the Epstein files.”
Specifying the sort of protection he sought for Ukraine, Zelenskyy ended his charm offensive by beseeching Trump, “Please give us whatever deal you gave Ghislaine
Wrong blog mister.
gigi
Please give us whatever deal you gave Ghislaine
**********************
You know SHE is still in jail. So much for a deal.
Don’t bother gigi with facts. She ain’t got no time for facts.
Gigi, didn’t you hear? The Epstein thing has been over for a while now. Nobody cares anymore, nobody is searching for news on it, Trump’s numbers are up. You failed yet again, so you can move on now to another talking point.
Plus a dem judge has said NO to releasing the files. Friend of Billy boy. (slicky-willy)
Trump’s “numbers” these days are at 40% approval. Across the board. Doesn’t matter the issue.
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/prez_track_aug22
Why do you lie so badly?
Tis but a scratch.
The modern Democratic party and their Leftist base will stubbornly play the role of Black Knight until they are erased from history. Monty Python and The Babylon Bee are exponentially more hilarious because of the anti-Trump movement.
‘In the end, he could not get a single judge to preserve a single dollar of that fine.’
Could it be they are finally rediscovering their spines, or do they just see the way the wind is blowing? One can hope for the former. This case was another event that said to me with finality that the modern left is completely soulless. The past ten years have been something, alright.
If you value Truth so much, here is a truth for you to value:
Trump cries about lawfare, but Trump is using lawfare against John Bolton.
It is the kind of thing Putin would do against HIS political enemies.
I exposed this truth, now it must stop.
I’m sure that the number of miscreants in the federal governmant far outstrips the resources needed to pursue all of them. In that sense going after Bolton could be considered selective.
More likely, Bolton retained notes taken as part of his service as a Nat Sec Adviser. Depending on the setting in which those notes were taken they could be considered classified. Classified notes should have been surrendered at the end of service as property of the administration and the US government.
BTW, I have no sympathy for that warmonger, Bolton.
Oldfish
BTW, I have no sympathy for that warmonger, Bolton
____________________
Same with me. Bolton loves war just like McCain did.
So people stop having rights when we don’t like them?
“So people stop having rights when we don’t like them?”
Fascinating how that is your take on what he said. Almost like you’re projecting again.
What’s fascinating is how I get attacked for being right in a blog full of people who should have even a basic inkling of consitutional principles, but apparently do not.
“What’s fascinating is how I get attacked for being right in a blog full of people who should have even a basic inkling of consitutional principles, but apparently do not.”
Care to tell us exactly what you’re “right” about, champ?
“If you value Truth so much, here is a truth for you to value:
Trump cries about lawfare, but Trump is using lawfare against John Bolton.
It is the kind of thing Putin would do against HIS political enemies.
I exposed this truth, now it must stop.”
You didn’t say anything that could possibly be tested. To be right, you have to be able to be proven wrong. All you said were a bunch of unfounded, untestable assertions.
Also, have you heard of a spellchecker?
Maybe you are right – but at this moment you have provided no evidence that you are.
Teh relevant question is whether there is proable cause for a search warrant.
The FBI thinks there is. A federal judge thought there was.
That is sufficient for a warrant.
Do you have any evidence that the agents lied – as they did in the Carter Page warrant ?
If so – prosecute those agents to the fullest extent of the law.
I am even behind you if you want the evidence in support of the warrant made public – we STILL have not seen that for the MAL raid.
What is the constitutional principle at issue ?
Either there is probable cause that Bolton has classified docs in his home or there isn’t.
So Far I am not aware of a single instance in which Trump or the Trump DOJ/FBI – current or past sought an investigation where there was no merit to that investigation.
It should be crystal clear that there was LOTS of good reason to investigate the dealings of Hunter and Joe Biden in Ukraine and elsewhere.
It is also clear that there was NEVER a legitimate reason for the collusion delusion investigations.
You can pound your fist over constitutional rights violations – when you have evidence that anyone aside from conservatives have actually had their constitutional rights violated.
“So people stop having rights when we don’t like them?”
Donald Trump, anyone? 🤣
Bolton has a right to hire a lawyer. Happy now
That would be lawfare. The very thing that Trumpists cry about. Hyprocrites.
“That would be lawfare. The very thing that Trumpists cry about. Hyprocrites.”
Hiring a lawyer is lawfare? I’m starting to think that you very much might be an idiot.
Lawfare would be the Collusion delusion investigations that had no foundation.
Lawfare would be impeaching Trump for asking Zelensky to investigate the enormous corruption of the Biden crime syndicate. Lawfare would be going after Flynn, or Stone or Page or Papadolous.
Lawfare would be prosecuting Trump for excercising constitutional rights.
Lawfare would be going after pro-life protestors for non-violent free speech.
Lawfare would be prosecuting Trump for crimes you STILL can not actually identify.
It is NOT lawfare to prosecute an FBI agent that lied in order to get a warrant against carter page.
If an FBI agent lied to get a warrant against Bolton – Absolutely lets prosecute them.
I expect Bondi and Patel to vigourously go after those who in the past violated various peoples rights, and violated the law.
I also expect that unlike their predecessors they will dot their i’s cross their t’s and follow the law and constitution.
If and when they do not – THEN I will accuse them of lawfare and stand behind punishing them.
There has been no consequences for the egregiously unlawful conduct of everyone from Obama and Biden down to rank and file FBI agents who violated the law in Crossfire Huricane and other REAL lawfare prosecutions. The satute of limitations has run on some of their misconduct. But that does not mean that conduct should not be investigated and it does not mean that if other prosecutable misconduct is exposed – they are immune.
Using the law and govenrment to falsely go after your political enemies does NOT make you immune from prosecution for the crimes you committed when you violated others rights.
There is no – We did something illegal and made ourselves your political enemy get out of jail free card.
Trump was impeached for extorting Ukraine. He didn’t just ask Ukraine for dirt on Biden, he tied dispersal of U.S. military aid to the shake down. And Rubio and the Senate found Russia did indeed intercede in the ’16 election ontrump’s behalf.
Are you still pushing these lies?
Trump was impeached (and not convicted) for exposing the Biden Crime Family’s role in shaking down the Ukrainian government. Trump was the first president to actually send weapons to Ukraine, the amazing Javelin anti-tank missiles that stopped the invading Russians dead in their literal tracks. Obama just gave blankets.
The Senate committee had to use the same faked intelligence as everyone else. There was no Russian collusion, other than the Hillary Clinton campaign that illegally paid foreign actors to create a fake, phony “dossier”. Nobody places any stock in the Senate report anymore. Not even the Senate. Do try to keep up.
He will also have the same right as Trump to challenge the warrant in court.
What rights are being violated ?
The FBI asked for a warrant seeking classified documents. To get that warrant they were required to prove the likelyhood of finding classified documents in Bolton’s home.
If there are none – this is likely over.
If you want the evidence leading to the warrant made public – I am four square behind that.
I would like to see the evidence that was used for the MAL raid – we haveSTILL not seen that.
If someone in the FBI lied to get the warrant – as they did in the collusion delusion hoax – that should be vigorously prosecuted.
But all we have from you is the speculation that this is purely political.
Being a political enemy of the current administration does not preclude investigation and prosecution – where there is evidence of criminal conduct.
If the FBI does not have probable cause for the Bolton search Warrant – then the agents who lied to get the warrant should go to jail.
But merely being an outspoken critic does not prevent investigation.
I have no sympathy for Bolton.
But that is irrelevant.
What does matter is whether he is targeted because of his remarks about Trump or because of actual misconduct.
I expect there will be a number of classified document investigations and prosecutions.
Because that is low hanging fruit. and there is no statute of limitations if you are still in possession.
We KNOW that Comey leaked classified information – we knew that in 2017. But the scope of that leaking has been found much greater than previously known. Comey like many others may be prosecuted on classified information charges – because the statute of limitations has run on the other illegal conduct he engaged in.
I am fine with that.
I would hope and expect that there is more on Bolton than he is a Trump critic that has a few classified docs in his home. I am fine with prosecuting him for classified docs violations – When there is other illegal conduct that is time barred from prosecution. I am NOT fine with going after him because he speaks out against Trump.
Bolton is a neo-con and a war monger – possibly the cheif neo-con and warmonger in the country.
That is morally reprehensible. But it is not a crime.
Wrong blog mister.
“If you value Truth so much, here is a truth for you to value:
Trump cries about lawfare, but Trump is using lawfare against John Bolton.
It is the kind of thing Putin would do against HIS political enemies.
I exposed this truth, now it must stop.”
Real deep. I’m sure that these cases are just completely identical in every way, particularly since nobody knows anything yet about the Bolton raid. Why don’t you just shut up already?
The problem with your “Truth,” is it lacks facts,
The federal judge allowed Bolton to move forward with publishing the book, but ruled that he “likely published classified materials” and “exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability.”
FBI agents raid former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s home
https://justthenews.com/government/security/fbi-agents-raid-former-national-security-adviser-john-boltons-home
And HOW is Bolton the victim of Lawfare ?
Bolton’s home was searched by the FBI for Classified documents persuant to a Warrant issued by a judge.
This appears to be part of this administrations inquiry into the coverup of the 2017 collusion delusion hoax.
If Bolton is not in possession of classified documents he has nothing to be concerned about.
We will lilely see alot more of this as DOJ/FBI further investigate the conspiracy against rights and the conspiracy to defraud the Untied States that was the Collusion Delusion Hoax.
Those who participated in that hoax should pray that every action they engaged in was completely legal.
engeron’s folly: his judgeship is as serious as his goofy pose.
Engoron’s judgment “was an unconstitutional order under the Eighth Amendment, protecting citizens from ‘cruel and unusual’ punishments.” (JT)
Next up from Trump (hopefully):
A massive civil suit under S. 1983 for the violation of his Constitutional rights while acting “under the color of state law.” Damages can include compensatory (including attorney’s fees) and punitive.
Maybe the court will allow Trump to use the James/Engoron method of calculating damages. If they can’t pay, they can always forfeit the state of NY.
The judgement stands, the fine is rescinded.
“The judgement stands, the fine is rescinded.”
For now. . .
It won’t stand long as the fines were determined to be a violation of Trump’s civil rights. If the judge was shown to do this, he’s then compromised and the entire case will go to the trash. Where it rightfully belongs. Banks don’t use what you tell them to value a. property, they have their own appraisers. This whole case was a sham.
Wanna cite law on the allegation of yours?
Wanna tell me how much accrued interest Trump is going to pay on the fine here?
The law used in this case does not allow for anything but diminimus fines. This was addressed endlessly before and during the trial.
Left wing nuts ignored it. James and enmoron ignored it.
The NYS top court had already found BEFORE the trump case that the law used was ONLY valid because the potential fines were small. Otherwise a jury trial is constitutionally required – and the law used and the courts this case was prosecuted in do NOT allow for jury trials.
The problems with this case were legion from the start.
What are the flowers like in your delusional landscape? This case is a dead letter. Everyone but you knows it.
Incorrect – vacating the fine was unanimous.
a Majority found egregious error that entitles Trump to a new trial.
“The judgement [sic] stands . . .”
Then why did the Court rule (3-2) that Trump can have a new trial?
The Appellate Court ruled that Trump’s constitutional rights were violated. Yes, it seems like a lawsuit, with claims for monetary damages, against James and the State of New York for deprivation of constitutional rights would be a slam dunk. If James and the State are however protected by Qualified Immunity, then that would shed light on why that issue, at least in this case, would need to be revisited.
It’s coming, the mill stone of God grinds slowly.
Looks like plagiarism is on the rise today.
“Looks like plagiarism is on the rise today.”
Is that when you copy and paste your garbage from the latest lame left-wing talking point?
check the news: FBI raided John Bolton’s home this morning in high-profile national security probe.
Why?
Classified documents leak
The walrus is about to be harpooned along with his pal Comey…
They’re cooked.
When these rulings are overturned, who repays the defendants for all the legal fees and other expenses involved; not to mention the hit on reputations?
The ruling/judgment was not overturned, just the fine.
“. . . . just the fine.”
$515 million is a lot of “just.”
Again, just the fine. Nothing more.
“Again, just the fine. Nothing more.”
Face reality. This case is dead. It’s just a matter of time. You’re engaged in delusional wishful thinking.
Also a violation of the 8thA.
There is a misunderstanding of why this is an 8th amendment violation.
It is NOT just because the fine is egregious – the justices 5-0 reduced it to ZERO.
They did NOT cut it in half or 1/3 or down to 10%. The eliminated it entirely
Why ?
Because Trump was prosecuted under an NYS consumer protection law that shuttled the case from the normal courts and precluded a jury trial – which the constitution requires for significant fines.
The appeals court could either direct the case back to a different court system and a jury trial,
or vacate the financial judgement entirely. If you actually read the “majority” – they essentially did both.
The legal issues was NOT Judge enmoron fined Trump too much.
It was he had no authority to fine him at all.
ATS – False – 3-2 the justices found Enmoron had committed numerous errors that require a new trial.
“Nothing more.”
Ordering a new trial is a lot more than “nothing more.”
The fine was vacated unanimously – the judgement was overturned 3-2 Trump gets a new trial or this goes away.
Goes to appeals before that.
All performative nonsense. We all know that this case will result in absolutely nothing in the end. It’s just a waste of taxpayer resources and legal fees now. Big Tish should just take the L and quietly let it die now.
i think that when the court finds that the judge and prosecutors abused their power they can be stripped of their sovereignty and pursued in civil court. This whole case was nothing more than a continuation of the conspiracy to try to destroy a candidate. Civil rights issues, abuse of office by the courts and election interference all come to mind. If it’s shown for the frivolous fraud’s prosecution it was, I believe Trump can sue for three times the amount they sought. Something like that, don’t know if that applies to something like this but taking their money is how you crush them, that’s all they care about.
I think you meant to say that the lenders’ wanted to keep lending to the Trump businesses, not the Trump “Administration.”
Important distinction. But that distinction is getting very blurry. .. I’m confident the lenders would love to do business with the Trump “Administration” as well.
Two impeachments and about 100 felony charges .. . and still the Democrats are left holding the bag.
*if you like the Trump “Administration” .. . you can thank a Biden bag man.
dg
Two impeachments
_______________________
That went NO-where. Lets not forget that shall we.
That’s why I mentioned it Dusty. .. lest anyone forget.
It doesn’t take a Trump University graduate to know they impeached Trump the 1st time for the sins of VP Joe and Hunter Biden meddling in the affairs of Ukraine and look how that turned out .. . the 2nd impeachment was a judgement call.
*2 wrongs don’t make a right.
They went nowhere because, even at the R excuse level a) we shouldn’t convict because there’s an election in 9 months, and b) trump already lost the election, let the courts deal with him (in the second case).
Does this make sense to even you? You clowns have made a mockery of our system of justice in your quixotic quest against Donald Trump.
“*if you like the Trump “Administration” .. . you can thank a Biden bag man.”
Somehow the bot stumbled on an actual bit of truth. Hmm.
Jimmy doing conniptions.
It’s hilarious to watch him skewer crazy (redundant) leftists. We’ve all seen them act like this in the wild.
Wow, you could have knocked me over with a feather. Who would have thought that this would have been overturned on appeal. Next, Trump will be defelonized. Then he goes on offense and gives these wack jobs a taste of their own medicine.
Aww, still none of the usual drive-by trolls here today. I wonder why 😂
we got you to do the stupid stuff this morning.
“we got you to do the stupid stuff this morning.”
What, like defend an illegal, unconstitutional fine for a non crime? I thought that was your job.
The funniest part is that Trump was reelected anyway, by a landslide, because Democrat lawfare backfired on them.
What is Barry Obama’s favorite quote? “The arc of history bends toward justice”
Indeed it does, Barry.
As Trump said, “I was the hunted, now I’m the hunter.”
Now THEY are all lawyering up because THEY are the actual criminals.
Keep the popcorn popping. We’re gonna need a bigger bucket.
From their prison cells, these mentally ill, crooked TDS-sufferers will still mumbling to anyone who will listen:
“but Donald Trump is still a convicted felon”
“but Donald Trump is still a convicted felon”
“but Donald Trump is still a convicted felon”
Excuse me, he still is. Only the fine was dropped.
“Excuse me, he still is. Only the fine was dropped.”
This case is going nowhere. You know it.
Judge enmoron was found to have committed multiple significant judicial errors that require a new trial – by a 3-2 majority.
The financial fine was vacated unanimously.
Ricola
Keep the popcorn popping. We’re gonna need a bigger bucket.
______________________________
Don’t forget the butter
It looks like denial of civil rights under color of law to me. Add election interference and attempted robbery. James, Engoron, and probably a few underlings need to go down for these crimes. Now tie this in to the Biden Whitehouse, Fani Willis, the Mar a Lago raid and lets have a necktie party.
Go down? Are you saying 86 em?
For now
Anon,
You sound like a fed. Quit being a keyboard jockey and go round up some illegals or get a real job.
Lesson #1
“Go down” is common slang for be convicted of a crime.
A necktie party is euphemism for an event that consists of multiple hangings. In a metaphorical sense it could mean extralegal lynchings by enraged citizens, a legally sanctioned death penalty, or merely maximum legal penalties imposed as punishment.
In this case the actual intended meaning is to be found in the internal monologue of the reader of the comment and will vary from reader to reader. How do you feel about the lawfare conspiracy that was acting against Trump? Were these people honoring their oaths as public servants? Were they honest? Were they honorable? If not what punishment do they deserve?
Did he arrange seashells on the beach?
I still can’t believe how childish you leftists are, even the supposed serious ones. Were you all just on the edge already, and Trump just pushed you all over into insanity?
All you needed was one look at that dopey half-wit smile (remember his playing to the TV cameras?) of Artie Engoron to know justice in that NYC courtroom was a farce. It takes a while but even New York knows an Idiot Judge when they see and smell one!!!
The judge was no idiot, he managed to convict Trump. The conviction holds, the fine not.
Civil case you moron. Trump wasn’t “convicted”. Honestly, can we get a better quality troll in here? Is that asking too much?
ANO
Is that asking too much.
____________________
When it comes to “smart” libs. Yes!
But they are trans-intelligent! Hey, it works for gender, right?
There was no conviction in this case, you imbecile.
Keep representing though. You’re a perfect example.
The conviction is horseshit.
Nope – the trial was tossed 3-2., The fine was tossed 5-0
The trial wasn’t tossed, Johnny Say.
Much like the Japanese soldier hiding out in the jungle decades after WWII was over, you’ll still be here years from now proclaiming that this dead case somehow is still relevant. Do yourself a favor and just admit that this case is done. Because it is.