Overview

• James filed a single‑page notice on Sept. 4 asking the state’s highest court to reinstate the erased monetary award against President Trump.
• The Appellate Division’s First Department ruled on Aug. 21 that the nearly half‑billion‑dollar penalty was excessive, while leaving liability findings in place.
• Judge Arthur Engoron had previously ordered $355 million in disgorgement, an amount that exceeded $500 million with interest by the time of the appeal.
• Trump has lodged his own appeal seeking to undo remaining non‑monetary sanctions, including multiyear leadership bans and court‑ordered monitoring, which are paused during appeals.
• The midlevel court issued multiple opinions without a clear majority, sending unresolved remedies and constitutional questions to the Court of Appeals.