Manhattan prosecutors have once again voiced their opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his hush money conviction, but agreed to pause the case while he remains in office. Trump has consistently fought against the criminal charges brought against him for paying a porn star to keep quiet and then covering up the payments to enhance his chances in the 2016 election.
Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the sole criminal case against Trump that went to trial, indefinitely delayed Trump's sentencing during a hearing on November 22, following his victory in the November 5 presidential election. Prosecutor Alvin Bragg argued in a court filing that the court should deny Trump's motion to 'immediately' dismiss the indictment and void the jury's guilty verdict based on the recent election outcome.
Trump's legal team had previously cited a Supreme Court ruling in July that grants presidents broad immunity for official actions taken while in office, as grounds for their request to overturn the conviction. However, prosecutors acknowledged that Trump should be given special consideration to avoid any interference with his upcoming presidency.
The filing stated that 'multiple accommodations well short of dismissal... would satisfy that objective, including a stay of proceedings during his term in office.' Prosecutors contended that Trump's effort to dismiss the case entirely was 'well beyond' what was necessary to safeguard the presidency. Judge Merchan will now need to decide whether to dismiss the case or suspend any legal consequences until after Trump's term ends on January 20.
During the hush money trial, Bragg argued that Trump's payments were intended to conceal a scandal that could have damaged his 2016 campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he ultimately defeated. Trump has repeatedly denied having an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels.
In a separate legal matter, the New York Attorney-General's office weighed in on another case involving the president-elect on Tuesday. Last month, Trump's lawyers requested that Attorney-General Letitia James vacate a civil judgment against him for fraud and a $464 million penalty 'for the greater good of the country' as he prepares to assume office again. In a letter to Trump's lawyer John Sauer, published on social media, New York Deputy Solicitor-General Judith Vale rejected the request, stating that 'Your letter presents no basis for this office to seek to vacate the final judgment or dismiss this action.'
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