Former President Donald Trump has put up a nearly $92 million bond to satisfy the courts while he appeals a massive jury decision that found him liable for defaming former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Court papers show Mr. Trump, through counsel, posted the bond of $91.63 million while the appellate courts consider the $83 million award levied against him earlier this year.
A bond is typically a higher percentage than the judgment amount. Court papers signed by the former president say the Federal Insurance Company based in Virginia and New Jersey is the source of the bond.
A federal jury in January found Mr. Trump, while president, defamed Ms. Carroll after she came forward with claims that Mr. Trump raped her in a New York department store in 1996.
Mr. Trump, who denied the claim, said she was not his type and that she was looking to boost book sales. He described the judgment as “absolutely ridiculous.”
“Due to the numerous prejudicial errors made at the lower level, we are highly confident that the Second Circuit [Court of Appeals] will overturn this egregious judgment,” Mr. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, said Friday.
A previous jury awarded Ms. Carroll $5 million for separate comments that Mr. Trump made.
Because of that finding, the judge in the second trial determined the liability would carry over and jurors only had to consider a penalty.
The former president faces a much bigger financial wallop from a separate judgment.
A New York judge concluded his real estate company submitted fraudulent documents to gain favorable terms on loans and insurance.
Mr. Trump must come up with another bond as he appeals that judgment, which adds up to about $450 million when interest is factored in.
Also, Mr. Trump faces four criminal trials up and down the East Coast as he seeks a return to the White House. The first trial focuses on allegations he falsified business records to cover up hush payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Jury selection in that case will begin on March 25 in Manhattan.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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