Appeals court throws out Trump's $500m civil fraud penalty

Former President's legal troubles continue as court dismisses half-a-billion-dollar fraud claim

A US appeals court has thrown out a $500m civil fraud penalty against the former president, Donald Trump, in a ruling dismissing claims that he perpetrated a decade-long conspiracy against the US government. The Three Judge Panel of the Washington DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the lower court erred in finding that Trump's conduct constituted a crime.

The court also rejected the government's request to keep the case alive while they consider whether to appeal to the US Supreme Court. They argued that the appeal deadline should be put on hold until January 1, when Trump will no longer be entitled to assert executive privilege over documents contained in the case. However, the court denied that request, stating that the Constitution's separation of powers is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for December.

The Trump Organization also issued a statement on the ruling, saying: "Another victory for the rule of law and due process. It is gratifying that countless numbers of individuals and entities that have been subject to the sweeping allegations in this case have been fully exonerated."