New York, October 21: A New York judge has fined former US President Donald Trump for violating a restraining order during his civil fraud trial. Judge Arthur Engoron imposed a $5,000 fine on Friday, noting that Trump had failed to delete an online post that mocked a court clerk earlier in the month.
Judge Engoron also issued a stern warning to Trump, stressing that he could face jail if he did not remove the “false and defamatory” posts. Although the post was removed from social media, it still remains on Trump’s campaign website.
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The judge commented, “Inflammatory falsehoods can and have caused serious physical harm. I will now allow the defendant to explain why this should not end with serious sanctions or I could possibly throw him in prison. ”
Trump’s attorney Christopher Keyes apologized on his client’s behalf, calling the post’s appearance on the campaign website an “inadvertent” mistake. He clarified that although the post was removed from social media, it was ignored on the campaign website.
Later that day, Judge Engoron decided to impose a fine, noting that the violation was unintentional and a first-time offense. He also warned that any future violation, whether intentional or unintentional, would attract more severe penalties. These penalties could include high financial fines, a finding of contempt of court against Donald Trump, and the possibility of imprisonment.
Trump, along with several members of his family, is currently facing trial on charges related to fraud, falsification of business records, issuing false financial statements and conspiracy.
