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If Donald Trump refuses to pay the damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll, her attorneys have legal avenues to pursue to ensure the judgment is enforced. According to Camron Dowlatshahi, a defamation, entertainment, and employment law attorney, Carroll’s legal team could conduct a judgment debtor exam to identify Trump’s financial assets and accounts. If Trump delays payment, the sheriff could force the sale of his assets or freeze his bank accounts to satisfy the judgment.
In the event of non-payment, Carroll’s legal team may use judgment-enforcement mechanisms to compel Trump to fulfill the financial obligation. Additionally, if Trump decides to appeal the verdict, he would likely be required to put up a bond, representing at least 20% of the awarded amount, to proceed with the appeal.
Trump’s legal team has indicated their intention to appeal the decision, suggesting a prolonged legal battle. Dowlatshahi expects Trump to exhaust the appeals process, potentially tying up the case for an extended period. While Trump may resist paying the full awarded amount, legal procedures can be employed to enforce the judgment and ensure that Carroll receives some form of compensation.
Despite speculation that Trump may attempt to use executive orders or his position to avoid payment, Dowlatshahi believes Trump’s brand image as a billionaire would deter him from pleading poverty. The $83.3 million awarded to Carroll includes punitive damages, aiming to punish Trump for his conduct towards Carroll and his behavior during the trial. In the end, Dowlatshahi emphasizes that the judgment is likely to be effectuated, and Trump will be obligated to pay some portion of the awarded sum.