In a significant legal move, New York Attorney General Letitia James and her team have initiated steps to seize assets from former President Donald Trump following his inability to post bond in the $464 million civil fraud ruling against him.
The first tangible indication of this endeavor came as James filed judgments in Westchester County, signaling the state’s readiness to take Trump’s golf course and private estate, famously known as Seven Springs, located north of Manhattan.
These judgments were formally entered with the clerk’s office in Westchester County on March 6, merely a week after Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling, which held Trump — as well as his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization — liable for the staggering $355 million, plus interest.
James has set a deadline of March 25 for Trump to fulfill the bond requirement linked to the judgment, although Trump’s legal team has indicated that posting the bond is an “impossibility” after approaching more than 30 firms.
Here are the properties at stake.
Inside Trump’s Seven Springs
Nestled within the serene landscapes of Westchester County lies the opulent Trump Seven Springs estate, a prestigious, 230-acre haven spanning three towns: Bedford, Armonk and Chappaqua.
Originally built in 1919 by Eugene Meyer, former publisher of the Washington Post and chairman of the Federal Reserve, this magnificent mansion was acquired by the Trump Organization in 1996 for $7.5 million, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its storied history.
The estate was crafted over five years with the labor of 500 Italian masons and other artisans from across the globe.
Beyond the main mansion, the estate boasts carriage houses, each with its own unique charm, and a Tudor-style mansion constructed in 1919 by H.J. Heinz, founder of Heinz ketchup and a close associate of Meyer.
Donald Trump’s vision for Seven Springs was ambitious and initially sought to transform it into a luxurious golf course.
Yet, despite two decades passing since its purchase, no greens have been laid. Instead, the estate has evolved into a secluded retreat for the Trump family.
Trump’s plans for an 18-hole golf course faced fierce opposition from neighboring towns concerned about traffic and environmental impact on Byram Lake, a vital water source for Mount Kisco.
Despite years of effort, Trump ultimately abandoned the golf course project, leaving Seven Springs as a cherished family sanctuary.
Eric Trump fondly recalls his upbringing at Seven Springs, where weekends and summers were spent on its sprawling grounds, including the palatial, 50,000-square-foot main home.
“My father, during the summers, would always put us to work,” Eric said in a 2014 interview with Forbes.
“We were literally riding mowers around, we were mowing all the fields, cutting down trees and fallen trees, cutting rebar and laying marble and doing electrical work, doing demo work.”
From assisting in maintenance tasks to exploring the woods and fishing on Byram Lake, the estate was a playground for the Trump siblings.
The carriage house served as their cherished retreat until Eric eventually moved on.
“It was home base for us for a long, long time, until I finally bought another house and moved out,” he said.
Seven Springs boasts 60 rooms, 15 bedrooms, and an array of amenities including three pools, a bowling alley and hiking trails.
Inside Trump National Golf Club
Trump National Golf Club Westchester, in Briarcliff Manor, stands as a premier private golf club spanning 140 acres of lush landscape, boasting an 18-hole course complemented by a sprawling, 75,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Originally established in 1922 under the moniker Briarcliff Country Club, the venue underwent several transformations, known subsequently as Briar Hills Country Club and Briar Hall Golf and Country Club.
In 1996, the property found itself under the ownership of Trump, who acquired it for $7.5 million and promptly rebranded it to honor its location within Westchester County, akin to his other golf properties.
Under Trump’s stewardship, the club witnessed extensive renovations, culminating in its grand reopening in 2002, marked by the meticulous redesign of both the clubhouse and course, masterminded by architect Jim Fazio.
Trump himself presided over Trump National Golf Club LLC, responsible for managing the Westchester club, from August 2000 until Jan. 19, 2017, the day preceding his presidential inauguration.
Over the years, the club has boasted an illustrious membership roster, counting esteemed figures like former Yankees manager Joe Torre, along with Hollywood icons Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood.
During its heyday around 2003, luminaries such as Rudy Giuliani, Hugh Grant, George Steinbrenner and Regis Philbin also graced its greens.
The club’s amenities feature a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, a heated swimming pool complete with a Jacuzzi/spa area and even a designated kiddie pool for the younger members.
Inside the clubhouse, members are treated to amenities such as well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms, a kids’ game room and a cafe/restaurant.
Meanwhile, many in the real estate industry have slammed this civil real estate case as outrageous.
Kevin O’Leary, renowned entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” personality, didn’t hold back in his condemnation of a New York judge’s decision to slap Donald Trump with a jaw-dropping $355 million fine.
In a scathing rebuke, O’Leary branded the ruling “unjust,” “appalling” and ultimately “un-American.”
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron’s verdict not only levied the hefty fine, which has since amassed hefty interest, against Trump — but also imposed a temporary ban on his business activities within his native New York.
An appeals judge has ruled against the ban pending appeal.
O’Leary, known for his no-nonsense approach, didn’t mince words in criticizing the decision, warning of its potential repercussions on the entire real estate industry.
“That fact that he was found guilty, you might as well find guilty every real estate developer on Earth,” O’Leary previously said in an exclusive interview with The Post.
“I don’t understand where someone got hurt … What developer doesn’t ask for the highest price valued for any building they built?” O’Leary said.
“It’s not healthy for the country,” he added.
“I want this reviewed and appealed and turned over because it’s wrong for everybody that participates.”
He later added, “If this judgment sticks, every developer must be jailed. They must be found guilty. They must be put out of business. You can’t do this to one another. It’s not about Trump.”
