The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear former President Donald Trump’s appeal in the civil case filed by writer and journalist E. Jean Carroll. The decision, announced on Monday, leaves intact a lower court ruling that ordered Trump to pay $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation. The Supreme Court’s refusal means the compensation verdict remains enforceable.

Carroll first sued Trump for defamation in 2019 and later filed a separate civil suit for sexual assault in 2022 under a new New York law allowing victims to pursue older claims. A jury found Trump liable in the 2022 case and awarded Carroll $5 million. Another defamation case from 2019 resulted in an $83 million damages order, which could exceed $100 million with interest. Trump has consistently denied all allegations, arguing that the trial judge made procedural errors and that certain evidence should not have been admitted.

Following the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Carroll may soon receive the $5.5 million Trump had previously deposited under court supervision. Trump’s legal team still has the option to appeal the separate $83 million judgment.