NEW YORK (AP/1010 WINS) -- Donald Trump was in New York City on Monday, where he received a mix of favorable and unfavorable rulings in two cases against him. The former president had faced a deadline to pay a sizable bond in his civil fraud case before an appeals court slashed the amount by more than half to $175 million. Meanwhile, a judge ruled Trump's hush money criminal trial will begin April 15—one of four criminal cases against him.
HERE'S THE LATEST:
1 p.m. -- Trump, NY AG react to reduced bond in fraud case
Donald Trump and New York A.G. Letitia James' office both released statements reacting to a New York appeals court's decision Monday to heavily reduce the bond in Trump's civil fraud case to $175 million—well under half the original amount of nearly $545 million.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the A.G.'s office said:
“Donald Trump is still facing accountability for his staggering fraud. The court has already found that he engaged in years of fraud to falsely inflate his net worth and unjustly enrich himself, his family, and his organization. The $464 million judgment – plus interest – against Donald Trump and the other defendants still stands.”
In another statement, Trump—who gave a thumbs up and appeared to smile after the decision—said:
"Judge Engoron has refused to obey the decision of the Appellate Division relative to the Statute of Limitations. This is a confrontation between a Judge and those that rule above him - A very bad situation in which to place New York State and the Rule of Law! Engoron has disrespected the Appellate Division and its very clear and precise ruling. He should be made to do so, and at the same time, release the GAG ORDER. This is the 5th time in this case that he has been overturned, a record. His credibility, and that of Letitia James, has been shattered. We will abide by the decision of the Appellate Division, and post either a bond, equivalent securities, or cash. This also shows how ridiculous and outrageous Engoron’s original decision was at $450 Million. I DID NOTHING WRONG, AND NEW YORK SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITION LIKE THIS AGAIN. BUSINESSES ARE FLEEING, VIOLENT CRIME IS FLOURISHING, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BE RESOLVED IN ITS TOTALITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU!"
12:15 p.m. -- Trump hush money trial will begin April 15, judge rules
Judge Juan Merchan ruled that jury selection will begin April 15 in the criminal hush money trial, rejecting
The case revolves around money sent to Trump's then-personal attorney Michael Cohen. Prosecutors allege it wasn't for actual legal work and that Cohen was just recouping money paid to porn actor Stormy Daniels on Trump's behalf, so she wouldn't publicize her claim of a sexual encounter with him years earlier.
11:25 a.m. -- Appeals court cuts Trump's fraud bond to $175M
A New York appeals court cut Trump's bond in his civil fraud case, saying he only has to pay a $175 million bond within 10 days.
The bond covers a $454 million civil fraud penalty, which Trump is appealing.
The bond had been nearly $545 million before it was slashed by the appeals court. Trump's team had called the initial amount outrageous.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has been threatening to seize Trump's assets in the state, including in Westchester, if he doesn't pay the penalty.
If Trump pays the new bond, it will stop the clock on collection and prevent the state from seizing his assets while he appeals.
11:15 a.m. -- Trump slumped in seat as sides spar
Judge Juan Merchan called a recess after lots of back and forth between prosecutors and the defense. The judge grilled the defense over their accusations of "prosecutorial misconduct" due to documents coming from the U.S. Attorney's Office. He said it's not Manhattan prosecutors' job to supply documents and materials out of their purview. Trump paid attention, a bit slumped over in his seat as he listened on.
10:50 a.m. -- Prosecutors and defense clash over documents
Judge Juan Merchan is trying to ascertain what documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office that relate to Michael Cohen are relevant and need to be reviewed. Trump attorney Todd Blanche said there are "thousands and thousands," while prosecutors estimated about 300 documents after reviewing them.
10:30 a.m. -- Trump's lawyers seek to delay hush money trial
At a pre-trial hearing in the fraud case, Judge Juan Merchan looked over papers submitted by the defense, which is trying to delay the case further. The defense claims Manhattan D.A.'s Office participated in "prosecutorial misconduct" and tried to "hide the truth" by not letting them know about statements made by Trump lawyer-turned-prosecution witness Michael Cohen. They have previously said the records are "exculpatory and favorable to the defense."
10 a.m. -- Trump and Alvin Bragg in court
Trump and Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg have both entered the courtroom in Manhattan Criminal Court on Centre Street. Trump, accompanied by Secret Service members, briefly spoke with members of the media in the hallway before entering, telling them, "This is a witch hunt. This is a hoax. Thank you."
Judge Juan Merchan has summoned both sides to court to decide on next steps, as Trump's lawyers say a last-minute evidence dump this month hampered their ability to prepare their defense.
9:30 a.m. -- Trump faces bond deadline, or AG may seize assets
Trump could find out on Monday how New York state aims to collect over $457 million he owes in his civil business fraud case, even as he appeals the judgment that led to the gargantuan debt.
Attorney General Letitia James could decide to allow Trump even more time or move to start seizing his assets. He has been trying to avoid posting the bond as he appeals, but the courts have said no.
9:15 a.m. – Judge may set court date in criminal hush money case
Meanwhile, Trump's hush money case is set for a crucial hearing Monday as Judge Juan Merchan weighs when, or even whether, Trump will go on trial after a postponement due to a last-minute document dump. He is expected in court for a hearing that is happening instead of the long-planned start of jury selection in the first of his four criminal cases to go to trial.
The trial has been put off until at least mid-April because of the recent delivery of tens of thousands of pages of records from a previous federal investigation. Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges he falsified business records to protect his 2016 campaign from salacious stories involving Stormy Daniels.
