Former President Trump’s lawyers asked a New York judge Friday to pause the verdict that would require him to pay columnist E. Jean Carroll more than $80 million for defamation, arguing his appeal would likely reduce or dismiss the case entirely.
In a court filing, the lawyers asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to suspend enforcement of the fines until a month after Trump’s post-trial motions — which are due by March 7 — are considered.
Otherwise, according to the court documents, they asked for a partial stay, which would only require Trump to post bond for a fraction of the fees.
The request comes after the former president was ordered to pay $83.3 million earlier this month for defaming Carroll in 2019, after he repeatedly denied her sexual assault allegations. Trump was found liable for sexual battery and defamation in May.
The latest fine marks the second time the former columnist has won damages from Trump at trial. Last year, the former president was ordered to pay $5 million to Carroll for defaming her over a separate comment.
Carroll celebrated the verdict, calling it a “win” and a “great victory.”
“This is a great victory for every woman who stands up when she’s been knocked down, and a huge defeat for every bully who has tried to keep a woman down,” she said.
Trump’s attorneys called the punitive damages “plainly excessive” arguing they violate “both the Constitution and the federal common law.”
Attorney Alina Habba called the figures “excessive” in a statement to The Hill Friday.
“The figure awarded to Ms. Carroll is egregiously excessive,” she wrote. “The Court must exercise its authority to prevent Ms. Carroll’s from enforcing this absurd judgment, which will not withstand appeal.”
Trump’s request to delay the fines also comes after he was ordered to pay $355 million in a case related to fraud allegations against his business in New York. The accrual of financial penalties has brought questions to light as to how and when the former president will be able to pay off the fines.
Zach Schonfeld contributed reporting.