Legal Battle Continues: Trump's Attorneys Fight Disbursement of $5.8 Million to E. Jean Carroll
President Donald Trump's attorneys are urging a New York federal judge not to release nearly $5.8 million to E. Jean Carroll to satisfy a civil verdict holding him responsible for sexually abusing and defaming the writer. The money cannot be disbursed to Carroll until the Supreme Court rejects Trump's new bid for reconsideration of his appeal. Trump's lawyers filed a petition for a rehearing of the denial by the Supreme Court, arguing that collection cannot begin while proceedings are pending before the high court.
The agreement between the parties stipulates that collection cannot occur while the rehearing petition remains unresolved. Carroll's lawyers claim she is owed almost $5.8 million, including accrued interest. Trump's attorneys also argue that Carroll should not receive any money yet because the agreement includes language requiring Trump to be repaid if the verdict is reversed. They point out that Carroll has stated her intention to give away all funds collected from him, making recovery difficult once distributed to third parties.
Trump's new petition to the Supreme Court seeks a rehearing based on his claim of immunity from another lawsuit by Carroll over statements he made about her while president. The lawyers argue that if he has immunity in that case, it could impact the verdict in the previous case that led to the $5 million judgment. Carroll's lawyers maintain that she is entitled to the award, plus interest, following the Supreme Court's denial of Trump's appeal. They argue that further delay in payment would be unfair and against the public interest.
Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, has filed a proposed order for the disbursement of the money from the court's registry, urging Judge Lewis Kaplan to release the funds to the writer. However, Trump's lawyers claim Carroll is premature in requesting payment, citing the agreement signed in 2023 that requires Trump's security deposit to remain until his appeals are resolved. The legal battle continues as both parties await the court's decision on the disbursement of funds.