Judge in Trump’s Fraud Case Received Letter Containing White Powder

Photo by Meir Chaimowitz/NurPhoto via AP

The same day former President Donald Trump appealed to post a bond of less than a quarter of what he was fined in his civil fraud trial, the judge who made that ruling was sent an envelope containing an unidentified white powder.

The envelope was addressed to Judge Arthur Engoron at the Manhattan courthouse where his chambers are housed, but the judge’s mail is screened. Two court staffers did come into contact with the powder. NBC New York reported that they “did not immediately appear to have been harmed by their exposure.” There was also a letter inside, but the contents were not revealed.

According to the The New York Post, police deemed the white powder to be harmless. The FDNY also told the Post that the two staffers who came into contact with the powder “refused” medical treatment. The building was never evacuated.

Engoron ruled on February 16 that Trump had to pay $354 million in damages after being found liable for fraud and was banned from doing business in New York for three years. Due to accumulating interest under New York law, the amount increased to $454 million. On Wednesday, Trump’s legal team requested to put up $100 million bond, which many observers commented was an indication that the former president does not have the money he’s being ordered to pay.