Donald Trump is asking the judge in his New York hush money criminal case to delay his sentencing until after the November presidential election.
The former US president was found guilty on 30 May of falsifying business records to cover up his former lawyer Michael Cohen’s $130,000 (around £100,000) payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump, who is the Republican nominee in this year’s US election, is scheduled to be sentenced on 18 September – around seven weeks before Americans go to the polls.
Todd Blanche, a lawyer for Trump, suggested in a letter made public on Thursday that sentencing him on the scheduled date would amount to election interference.
Mr Blanche wrote that a delay would also allow Trump time to weigh his next steps after the trial judge, Juan M Merchan, is expected to rule on 16 September on the defence’s request to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case because of the US Supreme Court’s July presidential immunity ruling.
“There is no basis for continuing to rush,” Mr Blanche wrote in his letter on Wednesday.
Judge Merchan earlier rejected the defence’s latest request that he step aside from the case.
In the letter, Mr Blanche reiterated the defence argument that the judge has a conflict of interest because his daughter works as a Democratic political consultant, including for Kamala Harris when she sought the 2020 presidential nomination.
Ms Harris is now the Democratic candidate running against Mr Trump in the race for the White House.
By adjourning the sentencing until after this year’s election, “the court would reduce, even if not eliminate, issues regarding the integrity of any future proceedings,” Mr Blanche wrote.
Judge Merchan, who has said he is confident in his ability to remain fair and impartial, did not immediately rule on the delay request.
What was the hush money trial about?
The $130,000 was paid to Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter she had with Trump until after the 2016 election, when he defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump denies ever having sex with Ms Daniels and has said he will appeal against the conviction. However he cannot appeal until after sentencing.
Prosecutors said the payment was part of an illicit scheme to influence the election.
Mr Trump denies business records were falsified and said the case was a political manoeuvre meant to damage his current campaign to return to the White House.
Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Mr Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment.
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