Monday, January 6, 2025
HomeWorldAmericasTrump hush money case sentencing on 10 January

Trump hush money case sentencing on 10 January

Former US President Donald Trump will face sentencing in the hush money case on 10 January, just days before he returns to the White House. Despite his conviction, he is unlikely to receive a prison sentence.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, who oversaw the trial, has signalled plans to issue a conditional discharge. This ruling will dismiss the case if Trump avoids any further legal issues.

Conviction details and allegations

In May, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges involve a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors claim the payment aimed to suppress damaging allegations about an affair, which Trump denies.

Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, arranged the payment, and the Trump organisation reimbursed him, categorising the payments as legal expenses. Prosecutors argued that this misclassification concealed the payments’ true purpose. Trump maintains that the payments were legitimate, made to protect his family’s privacy, and not to influence voters.

Legal efforts and ongoing appeals

Trump’s legal team has fought to overturn the conviction, arguing that it will disrupt his presidency. Prosecutors opposed this, suggesting alternatives such as suspending the case during his term or noting his conviction while waiting for the appeal’s resolution.

The hush money case is the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to have gone to trial. The courts recently dismissed two federal cases against him, including one over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and another related to classified documents. A state-level case in Georgia, concerning election interference, remains largely on hold.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular