Donald Trump, a former U.S. president, and now the President-elect, has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge.
Ths decision, delivered by Justice Juan Merchan on Friday, means that the incoming U.S. president will face no penalty, including jail time or fines, despite being found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records last May.
The case, which centered on allegations of hush-money payments, has drawn significant attention for its legal and political implications. Sentencing had been delayed multiple times before today’s hearing.
“This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment or conviction without encroaching on the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge,” Justice Merchan stated during the proceedings.
President-elect Trump, who appeared virtually from Florida, maintained his innocence, delivering a brief statement in which he declared, “I am totally innocent.”
More details to follow…
