Donald Trump is contesting a New York judge’s decision that he must pay $454 million in penalties and interest in a civil fraud case.

Initially, the judgment amounted to $355 million, but with accruing interest, the total has escalated. Interest will continue to accumulate at a rate of at least $112,000 per day.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned that if Trump fails to pay, she will pursue the seizure of some of his assets. The case involves allegations that Trump overstated property values to secure more favorable loan terms.

In addition to the financial penalties, Judge Arthur Engoron has barred the former US president from engaging in business activities within the state for three years.

Monday’s appeal from the leading Republican candidate for the presidency ensures that yet another legal battle will extend into the election season. As he gears up for a potential rematch against Democratic President Joe Biden in November, Donald Trump continues to navigate various legal challenges.

Maintaining his stance that the case is a political witch hunt, Trump had consistently expressed his intention to appeal the ruling. Alina Habba, his attorney, stated on Monday that they are hopeful the appeal court will overturn what they deem an egregious fine, aiming to restore public trust in New York’s legal system.

The filed court documents outline their request for the appellate division to assess whether Judge Engoron’s court committed legal and factual errors and if it abused its discretion or acted beyond its jurisdiction.

The legal representatives of the former president have contended that he was improperly sued under a consumer-protection statute usually applied to regulate businesses engaging in fraudulent practices against consumers. Donald Trump’s legal team has previously contested multiple rulings by Judge Engoron, including a gag order issued during the proceedings.

The appeals process, which could extend for a year or more, is underway. Trump may secure a temporary halt on the collection of the judgment by offering funds, assets, or an appeal bond covering the owed amount. The course of action he will pursue remains uncertain.

In addition to Donald Trump, his two adult sons and co-defendants, Donald Jr and Eric, were directed to pay $4 million each and are subjected to a two-year prohibition on conducting business in New York. Both sons, asserting their innocence, have joined their father’s appeal initiated on Monday.

Compounding the strain on his financial resources, the former president was recently mandated to pay $83 million following his defeat in a defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll, a woman he was found to have sexually assaulted. In May 2023, he lost a legal battle against the New York Times and was directed to cover the legal expenses of the journalists he had sued. On Monday, journalist Susanne Craig, a participant in the case, confirmed that Trump had fulfilled the required $392,600 payment.

While Donald Trump’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2.6 billion by Forbes, the amount of liquid assets he currently possesses remains uncertain. In testimony last year, he stated having $400 million in liquid assets. The recently concluded civil trial, commencing in October, primarily focused on determining penalties for Trump, as Judge Engoron had previously ruled him liable for business fraud.

Another legal challenge awaits the former president in New York City next month, where he faces criminal proceedings. Allegations in this case assert that Trump falsified business records to conceal hush money paid to an adult film star before the 2016 election.

Yesterday, the prosecutor in Manhattan, handling the upcoming case against Donald Trump, requested a judge to impose a gag order on the former president. The district attorney’s office argued that such a measure is essential to shield jurors, witnesses, and court personnel from Trump’s “lengthy track record of issuing public and provocative statements.”

Responding to this request, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, labeled it an “unconstitutional infringement” on Trump’s rights. Cheung reiterated the former president’s assertion that the indictments lodged against him are politically motivated efforts aimed at impeding his potential re-election.