People v. Trump: 34 Guilty Verdicts for Falsifying Business Records

The Case at a Glance

People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump is a criminal case heard before the New York State Supreme Court in New York County — commonly known as Manhattan court. On May 30, 2024, a unanimous jury returned its verdict: Donald J. Trump, former president of the United States, was guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. It was the first time in American legal history that a former president had been convicted in a criminal case. Trump has since appealed the verdict.

The prosecution, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, argued that the alleged conduct formed part of an organized scheme designed to conceal information that could have been damaging to voters' perception of Trump — and thereby unlawfully influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The Payment and Its Context

At the heart of the case is a $130,000 payment made in the weeks before the November 2016 presidential election. The payment was connected to Stormy Daniels — born Stephanie Clifford. The money was not transferred directly by Trump; it was his then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, who carried out the transaction.

Prosecutors argued that the records and documents subsequently created in connection with this payment — and with the reimbursement of Cohen — were falsified in a way that concealed the true nature of the transactions. It was precisely these records, and not the payment itself, that formed the basis for the 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. No fraud charges were included in the case.

Investigation and Key Figures

Michael Cohen played a central role as the prosecution's key witness. As Trump's former attorney and trusted associate, Cohen had firsthand knowledge of the transactions and arrangements underlying the case. He testified in court about his role in making the payment and about the reimbursement he subsequently received.

Throughout the proceedings, Trump maintained that he had done nothing illegal and that the case was politically motivated. These claims have not been confirmed or refuted by the facts available to this publication, and are noted solely as Trump's publicly stated position during the trial.

The Manhattan DA's office prepared the case over a number of years. The indictment comprised 34 separate counts — each corresponding to an allegedly falsified record.

Trial and Verdict

The trial was conducted before New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, presided over by Judge Juan M. Merchan. After completing its deliberations, the jury delivered its unanimous verdict on May 30, 2024: guilty on all 34 counts.

Sentencing took place on January 10, 2025. Judge Merchan sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge — meaning no prison time, no probation, no suspended sentence, and no fine. The conviction itself, however, was left intact. An unconditional discharge is a recognized sentencing outcome under New York law, applied when the court determines that further sanctions would not serve the interests of justice — but without setting aside the conviction.

Trump is the first former American president to receive a criminal conviction. The case has no individually identified victim in the traditional sense — it is the State of New York that is the formal opposing party.

Where the Case Stands

Trump has appealed the verdict, and the appeal was ongoing at the time of publication. The outcome of that appeal will determine whether the conviction is ultimately upheld or overturned.

The case has drawn significant international attention and raised fundamental questions about the independence of the judiciary, the criminal accountability of political figures, and the boundaries of what constitutes unlawful election interference under American law. These questions await their final legal resolution in the appeals process.