Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in the case of porn star Stormy Daniels - born Stephanie Clifford - who accused the tycoon of having paid her 130 thousand dollars in 2016 to silence, a few days before the presidential elections, having had sexual intercourse with him.
An illegal donation , which landed the tycoon on trial in Manhattan.
It is the first time in history that a former president of the United States has been criminally convicted by a court and also the first presidential candidate to run as a convicted felon . The historic verdict was reached unanimously after two days of deliberation by the 12 members of the New York court jury.
The punishment will be established in a hearing scheduled for July 11, on the eve of the Republican convention that will crown him as candidate for the White House, probably not without some embarrassment .
The sentence may vary from a maximum of 4 years in prison to probation up to a fine . Prison seems unlikely because he is elderly and has no criminal record, in addition to the logistical complications of having to have Secret Service agents in prison to defend him.
The tycoon's reaction was immediate, speaking of a "show trial", proclaiming himself "innocent". “The real verdict will be November 5,” he added, referring to presidential Election Day. For their part, his lawyers have already announced their intention to appeal.
The ruling was also commented on by the incumbent president and Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his entourage: "No one is above the law" but "there is only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: go to the polls" .
(Unioneonline/lf)