Letitia James takes first step to seize Trump's Seven Springs resort and N.Y. golf course
New York Attorney General Letitia James is already making preparations to seize former President Donald Trump's properties in New York's Westchester County as the Monday deadline for him to post bond in the civil fraud judgment draws near.
According to Bloomberg News, "New York state’s $454 million judgment against Donald Trump in a civil fraud lawsuit was formally registered in Westchester County just outside Manhattan, a sign that his properties in the area may be at risk of being seized if the former president fails to post an appeal bond."
The report states, while the filing didn't specify a reason for the registration, it is the first step to allow James to secure property liens — and there are two valuable Trump properties in the affluent Westchester County: Trump National Golf Club Westchester, and his Seven Springs estate, a 212-acre resort complex that is partially undeveloped.
"James has said she’s prepared to start seizing Trump assets if he misses a March 25 deadline to post a bond for 120% of the judgment to put it on hold while he appeals," noted the report. "She hasn’t started that process, and the registration in Westchester County doesn’t automatically mean she will attempt to seize the properties.
"It’s nevertheless a clear sign they’re at risk."
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The judgment against Trump came after a lengthy trial in which James demonstrated that Trump, his two adult sons and his former chief accountant Allen Weisselberg systematically lied about property valuations to get preferential tax treatment and loan terms, depriving banks and government agencies of millions in revenue and interest.
While Trump was able to post bond in a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment won against him by writer E. Jean Carroll, his lawyers have stated in court filings that he has not been able to find a backer for the half a billion he owes in the civil fraud case.