Verdict in anti-Trump case to be announced before inauguration. What you need to know

A New York court has set January 10 for the sentencing of US President-elect Donald Trump in the case of porn actress Stormy Daniels regarding falsification of documents. Thus, the decision will be announced 10 days before his inauguration, which will take place on January 20. What can end this high-profile proceedings - in the material "Izvestia".

The essence of the case

- In the framework of this proceeding, which the media dubbed the case of Stormy Daniels, Trump is accused of falsifying documents. In January 2018, The Wall Street Journal published an article in which it was claimed that in 2006 he allegedly had a relationship with porn actress Stephanie Clifford (pseudonym - Stormy Daniels).

- Ten years later, in the midst of his first presidential campaign, he instructed his attorney Michael Cohen to sign a nondisclosure agreement with the woman. In return, Daniels received $130k from the lawyer.

- In February 2017, after taking office as President of the United States, Trump met with Cohen in the Oval Office and promised to return the money. In total, he transferred $420k (reimbursement of Daniels' settlement payment, interest and bonus) to the lawyer , breaking it down into 11 checks, the prosecution alleges.

- The transactions were disguised as payment by the Trump Organization for legal services. This is considered by the investigation to be financial forgery with the intent to influence the outcome of the election.

- On April 4, 2023, the court in New York filed charges in the case of payments to Daniels. Trump himself assured that he had no personal relationship with Daniels .

Timeline

- At the end of May 2024, Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in the financial forgery case. Each of them carries up to four years in prison, meaning he faced a maximum of 136 years in total .

- Sentencing was scheduled for September 18, but in November, Judge Juan Merchan agreed to postpone the verdict (we discussed more about how Trump became the first presidential candidate with a felony conviction here).

- Juan Merchan sees no legal impediment to the verdict and realizes that once the defendant takes the presidential oath of office, he will be covered by immunity. That is why the court has until January 20, 2025 to schedule sentencing.

- Trump can face the court "either in person or virtually". The lawyer for the American leader-elect will have to notify the court, no later than January 5, exactly how his client decides to participate.

Liability

- However, the judge also emphasized that he does not intend to sentence Donald Trump to a real prison term. He will also not be given a fine or probation.

- In November, charges were dropped in federal cases against Trump on illegal possession of classified documents and election interference after Trump won the election. The trial in another case - election interference in the state of Georgia - was suspended.

Backlash

- Donald Trump denies the accusations. He emphasized that the decision to hand down the verdict is an illegal political attack and a "rigged farce."

The call to stop

- Earlier, Trump's lawyers urged the judge to dismiss his case over payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, citing Biden's statements in pardoning his son Hunter.

- The attorneys also cited Trump's presidential immunity as an argument in favor of dropping the charges. As for the possible suspension of the procedure until 2029, when Trump will resign, the Republican's lawyers called such a decision unacceptable.

- Trump spokesman Steven Chung called the appeal a "powerful motion" that "gives Judge Merchan every possible chance to do the right thing and put an immediate end to what's left of this farce."