The president-elect of the United States Donald Trump has escaped any legal punishment without a criminal record for his crimes, after a judge on Friday gave him another sentence called an unconditional release.
Judge Juan Marchan’s ruling spares Trump any jail time, fines or disciplinary action for his conviction, although the sentence cements his record as the first convicted felon to occupy the White House.
The incoming president appeared from a distance during the trial with his lawyer on television in the court. Taking his opportunity to address the court, Trump insisted he was innocent and said the case was a “tremendous setback” for the justice system.
He was convicted in May of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal he threatened during his 2016 presidential campaign.
A jury found him guilty of all 34 counts, making him the first president to be found guilty.
Trump, 78, has fought hard to stop his landmark sentence, including an emergency appeal to the US Supreme Court this week. Late Thursday, the high court declined to do so, by a narrow 5-4 majority.
He takes office on Jan. 20.
More to come.