Donald Trump, the newly elected U.S. president, has avoided prison time despite being found guilty of 34 criminal charges in New York. The charges stem from falsifying business records related to hush-money payments. The court’s decision, which comes just days before Trump’s inauguration, has drawn significant attention globally, reports CBS News.
Court Verdict
Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, sentenced Trump to “unconditional discharge,” meaning he faces no prison time, fines, or probation. This marks a historic moment, as Trump becomes the first U.S. president to face criminal charges, receive a guilty verdict, and avoid incarceration.
Details of the Case
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, led by Alvin Bragg, argued that Trump falsified business records to conceal payments made to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. These payments, totaling $130,000, were directed to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Prosecutors alleged that Trump falsely recorded the payments as “legal expenses” in his financial documents. They argued that these falsifications aimed to cover up violations of New York election law, which prohibits illegal contributions to electoral campaigns.
The $130,000 payment, prosecutors claimed, was an illegal contribution exceeding the legal limit of $2,700 for individual donations. It was reportedly intended to protect Trump’s campaign from further damaging reports on his alleged misconduct towards women.
Global Reactions
The verdict has sparked widespread reactions, with supporters claiming the case is politically motivated, while critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent for accountability in high office.
