A divided New York appeals court on Thursday unanimously struck down a nearly half-billion-dollar financial penalty against US President Donald Trump as unconstitutionally excessive, while issuing a fractured ruling on the underlying fraud allegations that produced no clear majority.

The five-justice panel of the Appellate Division vacated the entire $464.6 million disgorgement award, ruling it violated the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits excessive fines . However, the justices were sharply divided on the underlying fraud findings, with no majority opinion emerging.

Two justices— Dianne Renwick and Peter Moulton —wanted to affirm fraud liability. Two others— John Higgitt and Llinét Rosado —sought to overturn the findings and order a new trial. Meanw

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