(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) New York Justice Arthur Engoron has slapped former President Donald Trump with a hefty $10,000 fine for allegedly violating a gag order, further escalating tensions in the civil case against the Trump Organization.
Engoron issued the fine after Trump took the stand to defend his previous comments where the former president raised concerns about a law clerk.
“As the trier of fact, I find the witness is not credible,” Engoron declared, according to Politico. Notably, this marked the second instance in which the judge punishes Trump for speaking about individuals tied with the courthouse.
The case in question was first initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump and his businesses.
The specific contentious remarks made by Trump targeted the judge and an unnamed individual. “This judge is a very partisan judge with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside of him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is,” Trump had said.
When pressed by the judge about the intended target of his comments, Trump pointed to Engoron and his former attorney Michael Cohen, stating, “You and Cohen.”
However, despite Trump’s assertions, Engoron remained unconvinced, suggesting that the intended target was his clerk, Allison Greenfield, who, according to Politico, sits right next to the judge.
“I am very protective of my staff, as I should be,” a fed-up Engoron retorted, adding, “I don’t want anybody killed. … I stated the last time that any future violations would be severely punished.”
Engoron continued his rebuke, questioning, “Why should there not be severe sanctions for this blatant, dangerous disobeyal of a court order?”
Earlier this month, Trump drew attention to the alleged ties between Greenfield and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a leading Trump antagonist.
“Schumer’s girlfriend, Alison R. Greenfield, is running this case against me. How disgraceful! This case should be dismissed immediately!!” Trump’s post on Truth Social said. He was referring to a photograph of Greenfield and Schumer posted by Judicial Protest, with the caption, “Why is Judge Engoron’s Principal Law Clerk, Allison R. Greenfield, palling around with Chuck Schumer.”
Earlier this month, Engoron imposed a $5,000 fine on Trump’s presidential campaign for failing to remove the contentious post promptly. Engoron even threatened Trump with potential incarceration should any future violations surface.
