Former US President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, at the New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, October 25, 2023.
Jenna Moon | Reuters
A judge ordered Donald Trump's company on Thursday to report any future efforts to obtain an appeal bond to a court-appointed financial watchdog.
Judge Arthur Engoron's order came three days after Trump's lawyer said in a lawsuit that it was “impossible” for the former president to obtain such a bond in a civil fraud case he lost.
Trump was seeking bond to prevent the New York Attorney General from collecting a $454 million civil fraud judgment against him while he appeals the ruling in Manhattan Supreme Court.
His lawyers said that more than 30 escrow companies rejected Trump's request for a bond.
Attorney General Letitia James could begin seizing Trump's property next Monday to receive the ruling unless the appeals court grants him a waiver, or unless he can secure a bond or put up real estate as security for the court.
In his order Thursday, Engoron told the Trump Organization that it must inform its financial supervisor, Barbara Jones, “in advance of any efforts to secure surety bonds.”
Judge Arthur Engoron sits with his clerk as he presides over the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump and his children at the New York State Supreme Court on November 13, 2023 in New York City.
Curtis Means | Getty Images
The company must tell Jones about any claims made by the Trump Organization for the bonds, any personal guarantees from Trump or the other defendants, and any condition imposed on the company.
This level of disclosure would go far beyond what Trump disclosed regarding a $91.6 million appeal bond he recently received from a Chubb insurance company to secure a civil defamation judgment for writer E. Gene Carroll.
Jones, a retired federal judge, was appointed by Engoron as comptroller of the Trump Organization. The company was angered by her oversight, and complained about it in its files submitted to Engoron.
Engoron ruled last month that Jones should remain as superintendent for three years after finding that Trump, his two adult sons, his company and two executives were civilly liable for years of fraudulently inflating the values of Trump's assets for financial gain.
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