The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's request not to hand down a verdict in the case known as "hush money."
By a 5-4 vote, the Court denied the request.
The case involves $130,000 that Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen transferred to porn actress Stormy Daniels. The purpose was to keep her silent about a sexual encounter with Trump that took place years before the 2016 election.
The court pointed out that "the weight that the verdict will impose on the President-elect's performance is relatively minor" and noted that Trump will be allowed to be virtually present at her sentencing.
The judge presiding over the case has already said he plans to impose an "unconditional discharge" sentence that does not include jail time, a fine or probation.
Four justices - Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, all conservatives - voted to grant Trump's request. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Connie Barrett, also conservatives, however, joined the three liberal justices in rejecting Trump's request. Barrett, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were his appointees.
Trump's attorneys have made several court maneuvers in an attempt to stave off a conviction, arguing it would be a "grave injustice" and would harm "the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government."
Trump's lawyers also argued that the immunity from prosecution granted to a sitting president should be extended to a president-elect. | BGNES
