Trump fails in bid to dismiss hush money case

(CLO) On Monday, Mr. Donald Trump failed in his attempt to dismiss a criminal conviction related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchant rejected Mr. Trump’s argument that Manhattan prosecutors improperly presented evidence about Mr. Trump’s official conduct from his first term as president, as well as using testimony from former White House staffers and other evidence that was invalid and affected the president’s immunity.

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In a 41-page ruling, Judge Merchan noted that the actions related to the hush money case were “private acts” and not covered by the president’s immunity from official acts. Merchan wrote that even if some evidence was not properly admitted, the error would not have affected the outcome because “the evidence of guilt was overwhelming.”

Mr. Trump’s lawyers continue to argue that keeping the case open while he prepares for a second term as president would hamper his ability to govern. Mr. Trump has asked Judge Merchan to delay sentencing until all appeals are exhausted, which could delay sentencing until 2029, when Mr. Trump will be 82 years old.

The hush money case is one of Mr. Trump’s only criminal cases set to go to trial in 2023, while other cases related to the 2020 election and Mr. Trump’s handling of classified documents remain pending.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung criticized Judge Merchan's decision, calling it a "direct violation" of the immunity granted by the Supreme Court. It is unclear when Judge Merchan will rule on Trump's remaining claims.

The case stems from a $130,000 payment that Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, allegedly made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep the affair secret. Trump denies the allegations, which include that the payment came from falsifying business records to conceal the information.

In May, a Manhattan jury convicted Mr. Trump on 34 counts related to falsifying business records. However, Mr. Trump argued that the evidence used in the trial violated his presidential immunity, a decision the Supreme Court upheld in a separate case in July. The Supreme Court held that the president cannot be prosecuted for official acts while in office.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Politico, CNBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-donald-trump-that-bai-trong-no-luc-bac-bo-vu-an-tien-bit-mieng-post326032.html