In an 18-page ruling released yesterday, Justice Juan Merchan said he would not sentence Mr Trump to a term of incarceration but would instead impose “a sentence of unconditional discharge” – meaning a sentence of no jail time, probation or fines – as “the most viable solution” and permit Mr Trump to continue to appeal the case.
The hearing is scheduled just 10 days before the president-elect is inaugurated. A jury of 12 New Yorkers found Mr Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May after a sixweek-long trial.
Mr Trump falsified business records in connection with a scheme to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose story about having sex with Mr Trump threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign.
Mr Trump’s reimbursements to his then-attorney Michael Cohen, who paid off Daniels, were falsely recorded in accounting records as “legal expenses”.
Mr Trump has denied all wrongdoing as well as the affair with Daniels.
This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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