The U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan emphasized that ample time has passed for Trump to make arrangements for payment following the jury’s decision to award an $83.3 million verdict in January.
Judge denies Trump’s request for more time to pay damages in Carroll defamation case
Background
In a recent development in the defamation lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump, a judge has denied Trump’s request for more time to pay the damages awarded to Carroll.
Carroll sued Trump for defamation after he denied her allegations of rape in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump called Carroll a liar and said he had never met her, prompting her to file the lawsuit.
Ruling
The ruling by Judge Doris Ling-Cohan of the New York State Supreme Court denied Trump’s request for a 45-day extension to respond to the ruling that he must pay Carroll $26,000 in legal fees. The judge stated that Trump had failed to provide any legal basis for the extension and that his argument that Carroll was not entitled to the attorneys’ fees was without merit.
Trump had previously sought to overturn the ruling that he must pay Carroll’s legal fees, but his appeal was denied by the court, which upheld the original decision.
Implications
The denial of Trump’s request for more time to pay the damages in the Carroll defamation case is seen as a significant blow to the former President’s legal strategy. It indicates that the court is not willing to grant him any leeway in fulfilling his financial obligations in the case.
Furthermore, the ruling underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and words, particularly when they have the potential to harm others. It sends a strong message that defamation and libel will not be tolerated, even by high-profile public figures.
Next Steps
With the judge’s decision to deny Trump’s request for an extension to pay the damages, it is expected that he will be required to fulfill his financial obligations to Carroll within the original timeline. Failure to do so could result in further legal action against him.
Carroll’s legal team has expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and reiterated their commitment to holding Trump accountable for his defamatory statements. They are prepared to take any necessary steps to ensure that Carroll receives the compensation she is owed.
Conclusion
The latest ruling in the Carroll defamation case is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump. It reaffirms the court’s commitment to upholding justice and holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their status or influence.
As the case continues to unfold, it will be important to monitor any further developments and outcomes that may impact the outcome of the lawsuit and the broader implications for defamation law in the United States.
