Trump sentenced unconditional discharge in  hush money case 

New York: President-elect Donald Trump was today sentenced unconditional discharge in the hush money case by Judge Juan Merchan.

“The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment or conviction without encroaching upon the highest office of the land is an unconditional discharge,” Merchan said during the sentencing, media reports from New York said.

Trump was found guilty by a jury of business fraud for listing money paid to a porn star as legal expenses.

Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected his emergency appeal to stop the criminal proceedings.

The apex court ruled that the sentencing will not interfere with his work as its impact on his responsibilities “is relatively insubstantial” and allowed it to go forward.

New York state court judge Merchan and state appeals court rejected Trump’s claim that an earlier Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity from prosecution applied to him.

They said the ruling did not apply in this case as it was a personal matter preceding his presidency.
Judge Juan Merchan has indicated that he will not impose a prison term on Trump, who was found guilty by a jury of business fraud for listing money paid to a porn star as legal expenses.

He also allowed Trump to appear remotely and said he would give him a “conditional discharge”, which would carry no penalty beyond branding him a convicted criminal.

Trump, who has been elected to the highest office of the US for the second time, is to officially assume the presidency on January 20. He become the first US president – former or sitting – to face a criminal trial, sentences a guilty verdict and sentencing.
(With IANS input)
—–INDIA NEWS STREAM