Lawyers for former President Trump asked a New York judge on Friday to suspend a judgment demanding that columnist E. Jean Carroll pay more than $80 million for defamation, with the lawsuit reduced on her appeal. He argued that there was a high possibility that the application would be rejected or rejected outright.
in Submission to courtthe lawyers asked Judge Louis A. Kaplan to stay enforcement of the fine until a month after President Trump’s post-trial motions, which are due by March 7, are considered.
Otherwise, they are seeking a partial suspension that would only require Trump to post a portion of the fee as bond, according to court documents.
The request comes after the former president was ordered to pay $83.3 million earlier this month for defamation after he repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault against Carroll in 2019. Trump was found guilty of sexual assault and defamation in May.
The fine marks the second time a former columnist has won damages from Trump in court. Last year, the former president was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million for defaming her in separate comments.
Carroll hailed the ruling as a “victory” and “a huge victory.”
“This is a huge victory for all the women who stand up when pushed down, and a huge defeat for all the bullies who tried to hold them down,” she said.
Trump’s lawyers argued that the punitive damages were “manifestly excessive” and violated “both the Constitution and federal common law.”
Attorney Alina Haba called the number “excessive” in a statement to The Hill on Friday.
“The amount awarded to Ms. Carroll is grossly excessive,” she wrote. “The court must use its authority to prevent Mr. Carroll from enforcing this unreasonable sentence, which cannot survive appeal.”
President Trump’s request to defer fine payments also comes after he was ordered to pay $355 million in a lawsuit related to alleged fraud against his business in New York. The fines raise questions about when and how the former president will be able to pay them off.
Zach Schonfeld contributed reporting.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
