A federal appeals court has upheld a $5-million verdict awarded to E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump, marking a significant legal victory for the former magazine columnist. The case revolves around an incident alleged to have occurred around 1996 in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan, where Carroll accused Trump of rape. Trump, who had denied the allegations, labeling them as a "hoax" in an October 2022 Truth Social post, was found liable by a jury for sexually abusing Carroll.
The appeals court's decision came despite Trump's legal team's arguments that the trial judge erred by allowing jurors to hear testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct. The court rejected these claims, citing that the evidence presented demonstrated a "repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct" consistent with Carroll's allegations. Furthermore, the court dismissed Trump's contention that evidence of Reid Hoffman, a prominent Democratic critic and billionaire LinkedIn co-founder, funding Carroll's case should have been permitted.
"Taking the record as a whole and considering the strength of Ms. Carroll's case, we are not persuaded that any claimed error or combination of errors in the district court's evidentiary rulings affected Mr. Trump's substantial rights." – 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
The appeals court highlighted that evidence, including Trump's comments on an "Access Hollywood" video where he boasted about his sexual prowess, corroborated the allegations against him. This decision underscores the ongoing legal challenges facing Trump, despite his political prominence and previous tenure in the White House.
"Repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct" – 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
The case was overseen by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who has played a pivotal role in managing the proceedings. In June 2019, a different jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her and damaging her reputation after he publicly denied her rape claim.
Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling.
"E. Jean Carroll and I are gratified by today's decision." – Roberta Kaplan
In contrast, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, condemned the ruling and called for an end to what he described as politically motivated legal actions.
"Demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed." – Steven Cheung
The court's decision reflects its stance on the allegations and reinforces the original verdict despite Trump's continued denial and legal challenges. The appeals court found no merit in the assertions that the trial judge's rulings affected Trump's substantial rights.
"an ordinary conversation with a woman he barely knew, then abruptly lunged at her in a semi-public place and proceeded to kiss and forcefully touch her without her consent." – 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
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