A New York judge on Friday upheld President-elect Donald Trump’s criminal conviction while hinting at leniency in sentencing, a significant twist in a high-profile legal battle.
Judge Juan M. Merchan indicated he would likely issue an unconditional discharge, a rare outcome that avoids jail time or probation and allows Trump to pursue appellate options, The New York Times reports.
What Happened: Merchan, in an 18-page decision, ruled against overturning the Manhattan jury’s May conviction of Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from allegations that Trump orchestrated hush money payments during his 2016 campaign to suppress a sex …Full story available on Benzinga.com