Appellate ruling on Trump's $500M fine may not be last word on fraud case

The state Appellate Division wisely ruled that the half-billion-dollar fine levied on President Trump for allegedly “overvaluing” his properties such as 40 Wall Street was unconstitutionally “excessive.” It ought to be the last word on the matter — but it might not be.

The decision was a rebuke to state Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the malicious and politically motivated “fraud” case against Trump, and to state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, who signed off on the absurd $500 million penalty James wanted. 3

But because the Appellate decision wasn’t unanimous, it faces a likely review before the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest judicial body. Its seven members, all of whom were appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul or former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have a majority, stro