In the aftermath of a New York judge’s ruling that Donald Trump and his Trump Organization engaged in civil fraud, there’s potential for his Florida properties to be seized to cover a $250 million penalty sought by State Attorney General Letitia James. However, legal experts suggest any property confiscation, including mansions, golf courses, hotels, and office buildings, is a lengthy process. The penalty phase of the trial will extend into December, and any ruling against Trump is likely to be appealed to the highest level of New York’s court system. If James pursues Trump’s Florida properties, she would need to seek recognition of the judgment in a Florida court.
James’ lawsuit seeks the disgorgement of financial benefits gained through the alleged fraudulent scheme involving Trump, his sons, and various companies. The outcome of the trial is pending, and it’s too early to consider enforcing a New York judgment in Florida. If James succeeds, Florida properties owned by the Trump Organization could be targeted for confiscation.
The Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgment Act enables out-of-state civil court judgments to be collected. However, the process can be intricate depending on the judgments and property holdings. In the event of an appeal, the court may require the party to put up a bond to ensure eventual payment.
While the lawsuit focuses on properties in New York, it also includes Trump’s Florida holdings, including Mar-a-Lago, Trump National Doral Miami, and Trump National Golf Club Jupiter. If James prevails and turns the New York judgment into a Florida judgment, she could enforce it against any of Trump’s properties in the state.
Despite the attention on the Florida properties during the trial, any potential confiscation remains contingent on legal proceedings. The Mar-a-Lago estate’s value became a point of contention during the trial, with differing estimates ranging from tens of millions to potentially over a billion dollars. Trump himself disputed the assessments in court.
In conclusion, while there’s a possibility of Trump’s Florida properties being targeted for seizure to cover the penalty, the legal process is complex and protracted. The outcome of the trial and subsequent appeals will heavily influence any potential property confiscation.
