New York (Reuters) – US President-elect Donald Trump asked a New York state judge on Tuesday (3) to dismiss the criminal case in which he was convicted in May on 34 counts involving paying a porn star, due to his victory in the November 5th election.
Judge Juan Merchan indefinitely postponed Trump’s sentencing last month, which had been scheduled for Nov. 26, to give him a chance to ask for the dismissal. Trump’s lawyers argue that the fact that the case hangs over his four-year presidential term, which begins on January 20, would cause “unconstitutional impediments” to the Republican’s ability to govern.
Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office supported delaying the sentencing to give Trump a chance to present his case for the dismissal, although they said they would oppose that proposal. Prosecutors have until December 9 to respond.
Continues after advertising
The judge did not indicate when he would rule on Trump’s motion to dismiss the case and did not set a new sentencing date. Bragg’s office suggested he postpone all proceedings in the case until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029.
The New York case stemmed from a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had. had a decade earlier with Trump. The Republican denies it.
A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up the refund to Cohen. It was the first time that a U.S. president — former or serving — was convicted or charged with a criminal offense.
Continues after advertising
Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case and sought to portray it as a politically motivated attempt by Democrat Bragg to interfere in his presidential campaign.
Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison. Before Trump was elected, experts said it was unlikely — but not impossible — that he would end up behind bars. Punishments such as fines or probation were seen as more likely.
