Donald Trump's Sentencing In Hush Money Case Delayed Until After November Election

The sentencing of former US President Donald Trump in a criminal hush-money case has been postponed until after the November US presidential election. The sentencing had been scheduled for September 18. However, New York Judge Juan Merchan announced that he would move the sentencing date to November 26. The US election will be on November 5.

“The imposition of sentence will be adjourned to avoid any appearance — however unwarranted — that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching Presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate,” wrote the judge in his decision, as quoted by Al Jazeera. Donald Trump, who is currently running as the Republican nominee in a third successive presidential race, is the first ex-president convicted of a crime. 

In May, a jury found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Although fines or probation are more typical, falsifying business records carries a maximum four-year jail sentence.