Donald Trump’s property could be seized if he can’t pay US$454 million civil fraud debt, New York’s Letitia James says

New York Attorney General Letitia James said if Trump were unable to pay off the judgment in his civil fraud case, she would ‘ask the judge to seize his assets’

Judge Arthur Engoron’s February 16 ruling concluded Trump lied for years about his wealth as he built his real estate empire

5-MIN READ5-MIN

People walk in front of the Trump Building on 40 Wall Street in New York. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:27pm, 22 Feb 2024Updated: 11:48pm, 22 Feb 2024

Donald Trump could be at risk of losing some of his prized properties if he can’t pay his staggering New York civil fraud penalty. With interest, he owes the state nearly US$454 million – and the amount is going up US$87,502 each day until he pays.

New York Attorney General Letitia James told ABC News on Tuesday that she will seek to seize some of the former president’s assets if he’s unable to cover the bill from Judge Arthur Engoron’s February 16 ruling.

Engoron concluded that Trump lied for years about his wealth as he built the real estate empire that vaulted him to stardom and the White House. Trump denies wrongdoing and has vowed to appeal.

“If he does not have funds to pay off the judgment, then we will seek judgment enforcement mechanisms in court, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets,” James, a Democrat, said in an interview with ABC reporter Aaron Katersky.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said if Trump were unable to pay off the judgment in his civil fraud case, she would “ask the judge to seize his assets”, naming 40 Wall Street specifically. Photo: AP

Trump’s ability to pay his mounting legal debts is increasingly murky after back-to-back courtroom losses. In January, a jury ordered him to pay US$83.3 million for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.

Trump claimed last year that he has about US$400 million in cash – reserves that would get eaten up by his court penalties. The rest of his net worth, which he says is several billion dollars, is tied up in golf courses, skyscrapers and other properties, along with investments and other holdings.