Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg delivered a composed speech shortly after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts in the high-profile hush-money case, yet he carefully avoided discussing potential sentencing details. The verdict, which includes 34 counts of falsifying business records, marks a significant milestone, underscoring the seriousness with which the Manhattan DA’s office approaches white-collar crime.
“The judge has scheduled a sentencing for July 11th,” said Bragg. “We will speak in court at that time. He also set a motion schedule; we will speak in our court filings as we’ve done throughout this proceeding.”
In his address, Bragg emphasized the historical commitment of his office to uphold public integrity, drawing parallels with the legacy of Thomas Dewey from the 1930s, renowned for pioneering the role of the modern prosecutor. “This type of white-collar prosecution is core to what we do at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office,” Bragg stated, highlighting the office’s long-standing tradition in tackling cases involving public servants and other high-profile figures, as per reports CBS News.
Throughout his speech, Bragg expressed his gratitude towards the jury for their diligence and the prosecution team for their unwavering dedication to the case. He articulated the significance of the trial’s outcome, which argued that the $130,000 paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels was essentially an act of election interference, keeping crucial information from voters during the 2016 election. Despite the conviction, Trump has maintained his innocence and is expected to appeal the verdict.
The looming question of whether Trump will face prison time remains unanswered. Judge Juan Merchan has the discretion to sentence Trump to prison or opt for probation and fines, leaving the former president’s fate hanging in the balance. As the community and media speculate about the potential consequences, Bragg’s deliberate silence on the matter during the speech only adds to the anticipation of the sentencing phase.