Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is a virtual version of the collectible card game that has captivated schoolyards since the late 1990s
world4 days ago
Former US President Donald Trump agreed on Monday to additional restrictions on the $175 million bond in the New York civil fraud case, resolving concerns by the state attorney general that the funds were not secure.
The bond issued by Knight Specialty Insurance is meant to secure Trump's compliance with a $454.2 million judgement won by state Attorney General Letitia James if he does not succeed in an appeal.
Justice Arthur Engoron imposed the penalty after finding that Trump, the Republican presidential candidate to face President Joe Biden in the November 5 election, fraudulently inflated his net worth and real estate assets to deceive banks and insurers into providing better terms.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
James, a Democrat, had challenged the bond this month, saying Trump still had access to the Charles Schwab account pledged to the insurer as collateral.
But at a hearing on Monday, down the block from where jurors heard opening arguments in Trump's criminal hush money trial, lawyers for Trump and Knight agreed that the funds would remain as cash and not be traded for securities.
They also agreed that Knight would have exclusive control of the account and not withdraw funds, and to provide James with monthly statements to assure that the cash isn't going anywhere.
The agreement was reached after Engoron questioned the security of the collateral.
"You keep using the word agreement, what if they break the agreement?" he asked Trump's lawyer Christopher Kise. "It all seems like a house of cards."
Knight is owned by billionaire Trump supporter Don Hankey.
Earlier on Monday, Trump defended the bond outside the courtroom at the criminal trial.
"We put up cash and the number is 175," Trump said. "She shouldn't be complaining about the bonding company. The bonding company would be good for it because I put up the money. I have plenty of money to put up."
James had argued in court papers that a Trump-owned trust still controlled the account, and Knight's own financial arrangements appear insufficient to cover the bond.
Hankey previously said in an interview that he charged Trump a low fee as he did not anticipate problems.
"We thought it would be an easy procedure that wouldn't involve other legal problems and it's not turning out that way," he said. "We probably didn't charge enough."
Hankey made his fortune in subprime car loans, with some regulators criticizing his companies' debt collection tactics. He is worth $7.4 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Trump was originally required to obtain a guarantee for the entire verdict while he appeals, but a state appeals court let him post a smaller bond.
With much attention now focused on Trump's criminal trial, Engoron noticed the relative paucity of courtroom attendees compared with when he oversaw the civil fraud trial.
"Where is everyone?" he joked at the beginning of the hearing.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is a virtual version of the collectible card game that has captivated schoolyards since the late 1990s
world4 days ago
The complaint calls for the implementation of the so-called Leahy Law, which the plaintiffs and rights group say Israel has been illegally exempted from
world4 days ago
The bill, already approved in parliament but not yet submitted to the government for final confirmation, has stirred a heated debate in Iran
world4 days ago
Through his efforts, this 22-year-old man showed people that an ordinary person can make a contribution through sheer will and determination, says Canadian government
world4 days ago
Aftershocks shake the island nation overnight; people queue for fuel and essentials; US, Australia and France send aid, rescue teams
world4 days ago
The 53-year-old from Alabama is currently the only living person with an animal organ transplant
world4 days ago
Sara had been subjected to 'acts of extreme cruelty' but Sharif and Batool had not shown 'a shred of remorse', says judge Cavanagh
world4 days ago
The UNHCR Director said that some of those fleeing could be linked to the former government or else be religious minorities with concerns
world5 days ago