Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A New York judge has upheld President-elect Donald Trump's conviction in his hush-money trial and scheduled his sentencing for January 10. Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected Trump's efforts to dismiss the verdict despite his upcoming return to the White House on January 20.
"To vacate this verdict on the grounds that the charges are insufficiently serious given the position Defendant once held, and is about to assume again, would constitute a disproportionate result and cause immeasurable damage to the citizenry's confidence in the Rule of Law," Judge Merchan wrote.
Trump was found guilty in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The case focused on how Trump reimbursed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the payment to Daniels, which was logged as legal expenses. Trump maintains that the payment was to avoid family embarrassment and not to influence the election.
Judge Merchan indicated that Trump would receive a conditional discharge, meaning no jail time, fines, or probation. The judge stated that it was necessary to bring "finality" to the case before Trump's inauguration. Trump’s lawyers argued that sentencing him before taking office would disrupt his presidency, but the judge found no legal reason to delay.
Trump’s conviction makes him the first president to take office with a felony conviction. His legal team plans to appeal the decision.
Judge Merchan said that Trump could choose to appear virtually or in person for his sentencing.
