KEY POINTS
A New York state appeals court voided a more than $500 million civil fraud penalty imposed on President Donald Trump.
The appeals court said "injunctive relief" ordered by the trial judge in the case was "well crafted to curb defendants' business culture" at the Trump Organization.
But the order that "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," the appeals court said.

This was not excessive for a defendant that used these schemes for over a decade to defraud banks, the federal government, and the state government.

There is no justice for the rich -- "just us" syndrome -- courts make certain "just like us' and who donate to our campaigns are treated better than the poor.

You would think 200 plus years after Les Miserables that the justice system would improve -- but nope.

but will wait to hear what the legal commentators such as Andrew Weissman have to say.

Also, since the jackass is "president" now, can James refile?

what the opinions actually said - is at least marginally relevant .. ?

He just appeals until he finds a cult judge and then they do his bidding. Rinse and repeat until he keels over.

How did five "cult" judges all get appointed to an appellate court in a blue state?

Last edited Thu Aug 21, 2025, 03:43 PM - Edit history (1)

One of the judges who spoke out against the ‘excessive’ penalty is a Black woman who grew up in the Bronx. I doubt that she’s a MAGAt. In any case, I do not understand how five New York judges came to this conclusion. It just makes no sense.

Couldn’t find it earlier. But I heard that it was a 2-2-1 decision, with each side presenting its rationale for their decision. The judge I referenced in my post was quoted in one of the articles that I read on the ruling, and I looked her up.

He is on the panel of five that made this ruling - and he is the one who would have tossed the case entirely... but the other four are far from MAGA.

Fuck it.

The court upholds his guilt but disagrees with the penalty. OK. But why not reduce it to $400 Million, $200 Million, even $100 Million. A fraction of the original. Instead they give Trump a $500 Million gift and basically find him innocent but not innocent. WTF.

Two of the five effectively did. One would have tossed the case entirely and the remaining two would have sent it back to the lower court to start over if the defendant wasn't POTUS.

So the effect is to entirely toss the financial penalty and leave the non-financial penalty on hold unless/untill a higher court takes it up.

How the fuck did he become so charmed. I don't get it. He gets away with everything.

Even though the court found the penalty excessive.

Just like Trump still remains a convicted felon even though he was sentenced to no jail time or probation.

Cold comfort perhaps but it doesn’t change the overall court findings on legal responsibility.

That is DELAY! it will go back to another court, (or same court) THEN a new amount, THEN new appeal. Jesus Christ why can't they just STOP this bullshit?

what I was referring to some time back and I got summarily lambasted for speaking out on it.
Almost all of these court cases were very weak at best. I would go so far as to say they are one of the reasons the voters turned against us.
These things have to be weighed while bathed in sunlight, not a filtered lens. Our opinions may matter, but like it or not, we also have to care about what other potential voters think. It was the wrong approach and the wrong path, and it's starting to show now in the form of real consequences now.
And to think some are suggesting a third impeachment. This is not the way to win, this is the path leading to self-destruction. We take MAGA down with solid policy and by promoting those. It's the only way
Flame way

But this one was pretty clearly the most likely to be tossed.

we should ask ourselves where the 34 felonies bullet point goes.
What has promotion of this nonsense done to the believability of what we say as a party?
The damage is quite serious and is the very reason I have been so vocal against this sort of thing.
I know I'm preaching to the choir now, I just have to say it out loud for some reason. I'm pretty upset overall about the degradation of progress we are suffering as a result of this sort of thing.

In whole or in part.

https://nycourts.gov/courts/AD1/calendar/AppsMots/2025/apps/20250821/2023-04925,%20et%20ano..pdf

Not exactly a page-turner

Link to tweet

Well she’s now a FORMER Acting US Attorney

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220577252

"Thursday’s decision, which was not unanimous, leaves Trump still liable for fraud. The judges upheld his liability and tossed the penalty so the case could move forward for further appellate review. "

Letitia James is appealing the decision.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/21/politics/trump-civil-trial-trump-organization-appeal

be considered for Federal positions.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has already signaled her intention to seek further review at the state’s highest court.

The Trump civil fraud case is a mess. Another round of appeal could clean it up.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has already signaled her intention to seek further review at the state’s highest court.
www.msnbc.com/deadline-whi...

— Phyllis B Kantor (@wiselady11.bsky.social) 2025-08-22T15:54:35.908Z