Nov 6, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Former President Donald Trump speaks after testifying at his civil business fraud trial in New York Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in New York City, NY. 11/6/2023 Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Altman-USA TODAY

The $454 million penalty imposed against President Donald Trump in his New York civil fraud case has been thrown out by an appeals court.

Trump and some of his entities were hit with that hefty penalty, plus interest, in February 2024, after New York trial Judge Arthur Engoron concluded that Trump had inflated the value of his assets for years to get better loan and insurance terms. Engoron also imposed about $10 million in separate penalties against Trump's eldest sons, Eric and Don Jr., and former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg.

However, in an Aug. 21 ruling that included multiple opinions from different members of a five-judge panel, the Manhattan-based appeals court determined the penalties for Trump and the others were improper. Some members of the panel said that the penalty violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on excessive fines. Others said Trump should be afforded a new trial due to errors in the trial judge's determinations.

The ruling marks another major personal legal victory for Trump, who has also seen multiple criminal cases against him crumble following his November presidential election victory. Trump's appeal against his conviction in his New York criminal case dealing with payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels is ongoing.

Trump claims 'TOTAL VICTORY'

Trump called the decision a “TOTAL VICTORY” on social media.

“I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State,” he posted on Truth Social Aug. 21. “It was a Political Witch Hunt, in a business sense, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.”Trump also used the ruling as an opportunity to argue that both his New York criminal conviction and his $88.3 million defamation and sexual abuse court losses to New York writer E. Jean Carroll should also be thrown out.

“Sadly, there are other Cases against me that are equally disgraceful,” Trump said.

Contributing: Bart Jansen and Eduardo Cuevas – USA TODAY.

This story has been updated with additional information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's $454 million civil fraud court loss thrown out by appeals court

Reporting by Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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