Trump Sentenced to 136 Years for Falsifying Business Records

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree and sentenced to 136 years in prison. The historic verdict marks the first time a former US president has been convicted of a crime. Trump claims the trial was rigged and vows to fight the conviction.

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in a historic and unprecedented criminal trial. The verdict was delivered by a Manhattan jury after two days of deliberations.

Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 4 years, totaling 136 years. Judge Juan Merchan will sentence Trump on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be nominated as the Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election. The payment was intended to silence Daniels about an alleged affair with Trump.

The prosecution's star witness, Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, testified that Trump directed him to make the payment and conceal it through false entries in the Trump Organization's financial records. Cohen was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony.

Trump's defense attorneys argued that the records were not falsified and that Cohen was lying to protect himself. They also attacked Cohen's credibility, pointing out that he had previously lied to Congress and federal judges.

The jury, however, found the prosecution's evidence convincing. They unanimously agreed that Trump had knowingly falsified business records to deceive investigators and the public.

Following the verdict, Trump denounced the trial as a "sham" and a "disgrace." He claimed that the judge was biased and that the jury was manipulated. He vowed to fight the conviction, saying that the real verdict would come from the people in November.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case, welcomed the verdict as a victory for accountability and the rule of law. He praised the jury for their careful deliberation and said that his office would continue to pursue white-collar crimes.

The Biden campaign reacted to the verdict by saying that Trump's conviction does not change the fact that he will be the Republican nominee for president. They urged voters to keep Trump out of office by voting for Biden.

Michael Cohen, who had previously expressed remorse for his actions, celebrated the verdict as a triumph for truth and accountability.

The verdict is a significant milestone in American history, as it is the first time a former president has been convicted of a crime. It remains to be seen how the verdict will impact Trump's political future and the upcoming presidential election.