Judgment against designated US President Donald Trump in the New York criminal case over the forgery of business documents and violations of the election law will not be set aside. New York Judge Juan Merchan made this decision on Monday (local time).
The Supreme Court’s decision, which was dominated by Republicans, that Trump enjoys broad immunity for official acts during his term, does not mean that the conviction must be dismissed, the judge ruled. The evidence presented by the Manhattan district attorney has no connection to Trump’s official behavior as president.
Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges. It was the first time a former president was found guilty in a criminal case. The sentencing is still to be determined, with possible prison sentences of several years, although a probation sentence is considered more likely.
The case may still experience numerous further delays. The judge must, for example, still decide on a motion by Trump’s lawyers, which demands that the conviction be set aside, citing that Trump was subsequently elected president.
The judgment against Trump is linked to hush-money payments of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump was not charged with the payment itself, which is legal in the US. He is alleged, according to the judgment, to have disguised the payments, made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen, as ordinary legal fees. In New York, forgery of documents is only a crime if it is intended to conceal another crime. The district attorney suspects a conspiracy to support a political campaign with “illegitimate means.” Trump is accused of violating the election law during the 2016 presidential campaign.
His former lawyer incriminated the then presidential candidate in the trial: Trump allegedly instructed him to stop reports about his affairs. The former president himself did not testify in the trial. His defense tried to portray Cohen as a liar.