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The Trump Building in New York City

Photo: Sarah Yenesel / EPA

Legally, things are currently anything but smooth for Donald Trump.

Most recently, it imposed a hefty fine in court in New York for decades of book falsification at the Trump Organization.

The nominal total penalty, which is calculated from the repayment of illegally obtained profits, remains slightly below what the public prosecutor's office had demanded, at just under $355 million.

But with interest, that adds up to $463.9 million, and it's growing every day.

Trump has said he will appeal, which could take months, if not years.

Nevertheless, he has to pay the full amount within 30 days or provide a guarantee - which would cost him millions more in interest.

And the responsible public prosecutor's office is obviously not willing to play along with the Republican's time game.

Quite the opposite, as Letitia James now made clear.

»If he does not have the means to pay the fine, we will take further legal action.

“We would then ask a judge to seize his assets,” said the attorney general in an interview with US broadcaster ABC.

According to James, the focus is also on real estate.

»We are prepared to make such a decision so that the debt to New Yorkers is paid.

And yes, I see 40 Wall Street every single day," said the Attorney General, referring to the so-called Trump Building in a sought-after location in the financial district of the metropolis.

For Trump, the punishment is a massive problem - even if he exploits it politically and can portray himself as being persecuted.

The New York Times commented that the verdict was a “devastating defeat” for Trump.

The fine of $355 million (329 million euros) could “wipe out his entire cash supply.”

In addition to the fine, there is also a ban on business

The civil case was about the future of the 77-year-old's corporate empire.

Prosecutors accused Trump, his sons and employees of manipulating the value of the Trump Organization for years in order to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts.

Judge Arthur Engoron had already confirmed this before the trial.

The proceedings, which began in October and ended in mid-January, were primarily about determining possible penalties and other charges.

During the trial, both Trump himself and several of his children were questioned.

In addition to the horrendous fine, it was also stipulated that the 77-year-old real estate entrepreneur would not be allowed to run a company in New York State for three years.

His sons Eric and Donald Jr. will each have to pay a fine of around four million dollars and will not be allowed to run a company in New York state for two years, according to a 92-page order that Judge Engoron published on Friday.

yikes