Trump must be sentenced in hush money case: judge

A US judge said that President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced on January 10 in the criminal case in which he was convicted on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star. However, it is unlikely to face jail time or other penalties, he added.

Justice Juan Merchan’s observation suggests Trump will be required to appear at a court hearing just 10 days before his January 20 inauguration — an unprecedented scenario in US history.

No US president, before Trump — former or sitting — had been charged with or convicted of a crime.

The judge said that 78-year-old Trump may appear at his sentencing either in person or virtually.

He further said that he was not inclined to sentence Donald Trump to jail, and that a sentence of “unconditional discharge” — meaning no custody, monetary fine, or probation — would be “the most viable solution.”

The case stemmed from a $130,000 payment Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about a sexual encounter she said she had with Trump, who denies it.

In May last, a jury had found Trump guilty of falsifying records to mask the payment prior to the 2016 election.

The imposition of the sentence would pave the way for Trump to appeal. Merchan acknowledged in his ruling that Trump has made clear he intends to appeal.

Taking to Truth Social network early on Saturday, Trump said he never falsified business records.