US President-elect Donald Trump has been spared from any punishment over his criminal conviction stemming from hush mone paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and will not pay any fine or go to jail, a judge ruled on Friday. The ruling came 10 days before Trump will take office after his swearing-in ceremony.
However, Justice Juan Merchan’s sentencing of the 78-year-old Republican leader will place a judgment of guilt on his record. The sentencing to unconditional discharge closes a case that had cast a cloud on Trump’s bid to retake the White House just before the oath ceremony on January 20.
By granting an unconditional discharge, Merchan would place a judgment of guilt on Trump’s permanent record – without any other legal penalty such as custody, a fine or probation.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
(with inputs from Reuters)
