Sri Lanka, Feb. 17 -- Former President Donald Trump must pay nearly $355m to New York state for lying about the values of his properties, a judge has ruled.

Judge Arthur Engoron also banned him from serving as a company director or taking out loans from banks in the state for three years.

The New York real estate mogul escaped having some of his companies dissolved, which could have meant bankruptcy.

Speaking from his Florida estate, Mr Trump said he would appeal the ruling.

"A crooked New York state judge just ruled I have to pay a fine for $350m for having built a perfect company," the former president said from Mar-a-Lago on Friday, calling the ruling a political witch hunt.

"It's a very sad day for - in my opinion - the country."...