T
he Appellate Division's ruling that a half-billion-dollar fine against President Trump was unconstitutionally excessive is a significant blow to state Attorney General Letitia James and Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron. However, the decision may not be final due to its non-unanimous nature, which could lead to review by the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals has a majority leftist tilt, with seven members appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul or former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. This raises concerns about potential bias in the review process. Engoron's reversal is not an isolated incident; he was previously shot down unanimously by Appellate judges on two separate occasions: once for blocking a mixed-use project near the South Street Seaport and again for rejecting plans for tall new towers on the Lower East Side.
Engoron's decisions have been criticized as spurious and motivated by personal opinions rather than adherence to the law. His track record suggests that he may be prone to making rulings based on his own biases, rather than upholding the principles of justice. If there is any justice, Engoron's latest decision will be overturned for good.
