Trump's Civil Fraud Penalty Overturned

An appeals court in United States — New York (state) has thrown out the massive civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump, ruling that the $515 million verdict was 'excessive' and violated the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This decision came seven months after Donald Trump returned to the White House. The initial ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron had found Donald Trump engaged in fraud by exaggerating his wealth and ordered him to pay $355 million in penalties, which grew to over $515 million with interest. The appeals court dismissed the penalty in its entirety, though it left a pathway for further appeals to the state's highest court. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the suit, had accused Donald Trump of 'lying, cheating, and staggering fraud.' Donald Trump and his co-defendants denied wrongdoing, claiming the case was politically motivated. This civil fraud case was one of several legal challenges faced by Donald Trump.