Former President Donald Trump has successfully obtained a $91.6 million bond to forestall the immediate enforcement of an $83.3 million defamation verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case. The bond, covering the verdict and interest, was secured as part of Trump’s appeal against the massive verdict issued in January. The lawsuit, brought by Carroll, a magazine writer accusing Trump of rape in the 1990s, focused on defamatory comments made by Trump in 2019 and his repeated verbal attacks during the trial.
Trump’s Legal Maneuver
Bond Obtained for Appeal Process
In response to Judge Lewis Kaplan denying Trump’s motion to extend the bond deadline, Trump revealed that he has secured a $91.6 million bond from Federal Insurance Co. This legal arrangement ensures that Carroll cannot initiate collection efforts during the appeal, preventing potential asset or bank account seizures. Trump’s appeal aims to challenge the verdict, and the bond guarantees payment to Carroll if appellate courts uphold the defamation judgment.
Legal Implications
Blocking Collection Efforts and Ensuring Payment
The bond, dated Tuesday and signed by Trump and a representative of Federal Insurance Co., serves as a financial commitment to cover the defamation verdict. Without the bond, Carroll could have pursued the collection of the judgment during the appeal, posing a risk to Trump’s assets. While the specific collateral pledged by Trump remains unclear, the bond serves as a safeguard, allowing for the eventual payment to Carroll if the verdict stands.
Ongoing Legal Battles
Similar Pledge Sought for $454 Million Judgment
This legal maneuver occurs as Trump faces another significant judgment—a $454 million verdict imposed by a judge in a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Tish James alleging fraud in Trump’s real estate empire. Trump is currently seeking a similar pledge to delay the payment, with his lawyers challenging the bond amount’s feasibility. Despite two judges rejecting the request to reduce the bond amount, Trump’s appeal is pending, with a state court panel expected to issue a decision before the March 25 deadline.
In summary, former President Donald Trump has successfully obtained a bond to delay the payout of the defamation verdict to E. Jean Carroll while his appeal is ongoing. This legal maneuver, involving a $91.6 million bond, safeguards Trump’s assets and sets the stage for further legal battles in the coming weeks.
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