NEW YORK (AP) — In a significant development, a federal judge in New York City has approved a $92 million bond put up by former President Donald Trump to secure the jury award for writer E. Jean Carroll if it survives appeals. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan formally authorized the bond on Tuesday after both parties reached an agreement.
This bond comes as Trump’s lawyers are appealing the verdict to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. Over the weekend, at a campaign rally in Georgia, Trump resumed his attacks on Carroll, accusing her of falsely accusing him of rape in 1996.
Carroll’s lawyer responded by suggesting the possibility of a third defamation lawsuit if Trump’s verbal attacks persisted. It’s worth noting that Trump had previously stopped publicly attacking Carroll following an $83.3 million defamation award in January, but he recently resumed his assaults on her credibility.
In the earlier trial, the jury concluded that Trump had defamed Carroll in 2022 and sexually abused her in 1996. However, it found that he had not raped her according to the legal definition in New York State. Despite this, the judge stated that the jury’s findings were consistent with the definition of rape in some jurisdictions.
It’s important to mention that Trump was absent at the May trial but attended the proceedings almost every day in January. Although he was not allowed to challenge conclusions already resolved by the jury, his dissatisfaction with the case was evident.
Carroll first publicly accused Trump in a 2019 memoir, and since then, the legal battles have continued. Adding to his legal woes, Trump is now facing a potential $454 million civil fraud penalty in New York and four criminal cases. The future consequences of these legal battles remain uncertain.
Overall, the approval of the bond signifies a notable step forward in the ongoing legal battle between Trump and Carroll. As the appeals process unfolds, the outcome of the case will continue to attract attention and have implications for both parties involved.