Trump appeals judge's fraud ruling as trial continues

Donald Trump has appealed a New York judge's ruling that found him and his family's business liable for fraud.

The former president's attorneys filed the appeal Wednesday as he continues to stand trial in a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James accusing Trump, three of his adult children and the Trump Organization of lying for years about the values of their assets for financial benefit, reported Reuters.

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled last week, before the civil trial began, that James had proven the Trumps had fraudulently inflated the value of several properties and his net worth by as much as $2.2 billion. This week's trial is largely aimed at determining damages.

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Trump has attacked the judge and attorney general in courthouse rants and online, insisting that his properties were worth far more than either have valued them.

The former president has also pleaded not guilty to unrelated criminal charges in four indictments related to the 2020 election, improperly retaining classified materials and covering up hush money payments to a porn actress.