A New York appeals court tossed out a $464 million civil penalty against Donald Trump , finding the damages amount excessive, while upholding the ruling that he, his family members and companies were liable for business fraud.

“While the injunctive relief ordered by the court is well crafted to curb defendants’ business culture, the court’s disgorgement order, which directs that defendants pay nearly half a billion dollars to the State of New York, is an excessive fine that violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” the judges wrote in their ruling .

The five-judge panel struggled to get a majority ruling, and only did so after two justices joined in to make a majority “for the sole purpose of ensuring finality,” setting the stage for an appeal.

Last year, J

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