NEW YORK (AP) — District Judge Michael C. Moreno denied former President Donald Trump’s request for relief from an $83.3 million defamation judgment on Wednesday. The judgment was issued in favor of E. Jean Carroll, an author and journalist who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. The judge’s decision means that Trump will still be required to pay the full amount to Carroll.
Carroll filed the defamation lawsuit against Trump in 2019 after he denied her allegations and claimed that she was lying to sell books. The judge’s ruling came after months of legal battles and arguments from both sides. In February, a clerk entered a default judgment against Trump, since his lawyers missed the deadline to respond to the lawsuit. However, Trump’s legal team quickly filed a motion to have the judgment thrown out.
During the hearing, Trump’s attorneys argued that he was immune from the lawsuit because he made the comments while he was still in office. They cited a law known as the Westfall Act, which grants immunity to federal employees for actions taken in the course of their official duties. However, Judge Moreno disagreed with this argument, stating that the law did not apply to the case since Trump was not acting within the scope of his employment as President when he made the comments.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, hailed the judge’s decision as a victory for her client and for victims of sexual assault. She emphasized the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions and words. On the other hand, Trump’s legal team expressed disappointment and vowed to continue fighting the judgment.
The $83.3 million judgment includes compensatory damages, which were calculated based on Carroll’s loss of reputation, emotional distress, and other factors. It also includes punitive damages meant to punish Trump for his conduct. However, it is unclear how Carroll will collect the full amount from the former President, as he will likely appeal the decision.
This ruling is just one of many legal battles that Trump is currently facing. He is also being investigated for potential financial fraud and tax evasion by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and he is facing multiple lawsuits related to his business dealings and the Capitol riot on January 6. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how these cases will impact Trump and his future in politics.