A New York judge will not delay this Friday’s sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in his felony hush money case. Justice Juan Merchan said the sentencing would proceed as Trump’s arguments against it “are for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past”. Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May, making him the first former president convicted of a crime. “Defendant’s motion for a stay of these proceedings, including the sentencing hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025, is hereby DENIED,” Justice Merchan wrote in his decision on Monday. The charges stemmed from Trump’s attempt to disguise reimbursements for a $130,000 hush money payment to an adult film star as legal expenses. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers said that filing an appeal should halt the criminal proceedings in his New York case. The sentencing had been delayed repeatedly by the 2024 presidential election and Trump’s attempt to have the case thrown out based on a claim of presidential immunity. Justice Merchan ultimately rejected the immunity argument in December. On 3 January, Justice Merchan issued an order saying he would move ahead with the sentencing before Trump takes office on 20 January, but made clear he would not consider any custodial term. He indicated he would instead issue a sentence of an “unconditional discharge”, which means no prison, fine or probation. Justice Merchan ordered Trump to appear virtually or in-person for the hearing.
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