A judge has denied Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing in a bribery case. About this informs CNN.
A court in New York ruled that the verdict in the case of falsification of accounting documents will be delivered according to the original schedule – on January 10, just a few days before the possible inauguration of Trump as president of the United States.
Trump is required to be present at the sentencing, either in person or via video link. The case concerns his guilty plea to falsifying financial documents during the 2016 election, including paying actress Stormy Daniels to cover up scandalous information. He was convicted on 34 charges.
Trump’s lawyers previously filed an appeal asking the New York Court of Appeals to overturn two recent Merchan rulings that upheld his conviction in the money laundering case, separately urging the judge to delay Trump’s sentencing while he appeals.
Judge Juan Mercan said the most likely solution would be a unique form of punishment that would allow Trump to avoid prison or a fine. However, the sentence will remain valid regardless of the imposed punishment. If that happens, Trump could become the first US president to take office after being convicted of a serious crime.
