Trump asks for pause of potentially ruinous penalty while fraud appeal plays out

Donald Trump's lawyers have asked a New York appeals court to pause the $454 million damages payment he owes until it rules on his civil fraud verdict.

The former president has less than 30 days to pay the massive amount — plus 9 percent daily interest — or the New York attorney general's office will begin the process of executing judgment, possibly even seizing his properties.

But his lawyers have asked for that to be put on hold until the appeal is decided, reported CNN.

“The judgment order unprecedented and punitive disgorgement of nearly $460 million and overbroad permanent injunctive relief against Appellants in the absence of legal authority or factual support,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in the filing.

“The urgency of this application is evident in light of the punitive and exorbitant disgorgement awarded against Appellants, the impact of the injunctive relief upon lawful businesses, the uncertainty created by the vague and overbroad directives Supreme Court issued, and the Attorney General’s public threats that she will seize Appellants’ real property forth with to satisfy the Judgment,” his attorneys added.

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New York Judge Arthur Engoron found the ex-president liable for fraud at the start of the trial, based on evidence presented in Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit. He imposed the fine and banned him from doing business in the state for three years following the trial.

Trump's lawyers have asked the appeals court to decide whether Engoron "committed errors of law and/or fact" and whether he abused his discretion or "acted in excess" of his jurisdiction.

The former president wasn't required to post a bond in order to appeal, although he would receive an automatic stay on the penalty if he put up money, assets or an appeal bond — which many lenders might be unwilling to cover given the judge's findings.