President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to overturn his conviction in the criminal hush money case was denied, and he is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 10. Trump will not face jail time, with penalties expected to be financial in nature.
The case centers on payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence allegations of extramarital affairs ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued these payments violated campaign finance laws. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or affairs, claiming the payments were personal matters unrelated to his campaign.
On Friday, New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the conviction, stating that the Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity ruling did not apply. However, in his ruling, he made clear that Trump would not face jail time.
“It seems proper at this juncture to make known the Court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorized by the conviction but one the People concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation,” Merchan wrote.
Trump’s sentencing is set for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, and he has the option to appear in person or virtually.
Kcassman