By: Shashank Murali
Staff-Writer

Almost a year after his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, President Donald Trump was sentenced in his historic hush-money case on Jan. 10, resulting in relief for him. 

President Trump has consistently refuted the allegations, and his attorneys have asserted that this matter should not be classified as a criminal case. Prosecutors contended that President Trump and his organization fraudulently enhanced the value of their assets in order to obtain larger tax deductions, as well as exaggerated asset valuations to secure more advantageous credit terms. 

The payments made as hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels became a focal point in the case due to apprehensions that campaign finance laws were contravened with the intention of influencing the election’s outcome by suppressing detrimental allegations. 

Counsel representing President Trump asserted that these were standard legal settlements rather than criminal activities. A significant judicial ruling was issued, as the presiding Judge asserted that this case was typical. 

President Trump was sentenced to unconditional discharge, meaning that his conviction will stand, but he will not pay a fine, serve time in prison, be on probation or do community service. In some states, however, he will be prohibited from purchasing a firearm, and the conviction will remain on his record.

With his inauguration so closely following the sentencing, this judgment was highly anticipated.