Former US President Donald Trump has been sentenced to pay a fine of more than 350 million dollars (approximately 310 million Swiss francs) in a fraud case. Judge Arthur Engoron announced this on Friday in New York. In addition, real estate entrepreneur Trump is banned from running a business in New York state for three years.
The civil case concerned the future of the 77-year-old’s business empire. Prosecutors accused Trump, his sons and employees of manipulating the value of the Trump Organization for years to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. Judge Engoron had already confirmed this before the trial. The procedure was therefore mainly about determining possible fines and other charges. During the trial, both Trump himself and several of his children were questioned.
There was no mention of a prison sentence or direct impact on Trump’s bid for the presidency in the civil case. However, the ex-president is currently involved in a number of other proceedings. Only on Thursday was the start of a trial in connection with hush money payments to a porn star on March 25 confirmed by a judge. It would be the first criminal trial of a former president in American history. Three more criminal trials are being prepared, including on allegations of attempted election manipulation, and civil trials are also underway.
Only in late January did a jury award 80-year-old author E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million (about 73 million Swiss francs) in damages in a second defamation trial. Trump’s lawyers had announced their intention to appeal.
The 77-year-old Trump is considered the Republicans’ most promising candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in November. He has often used his trials as election campaign events, which has already brought him into conflict with several judges.
Update to follow…
(sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
