New York Judge Juan Merchan on Wednesday refused to recuse himself from former President Donald Trump’s business-record case ahead of the Sept. 18 sentencing hearing.
It was the third time Judge Merchan of the New York Supreme Court rejected claims he had an impermissible conflict because his daughter, Loren, serves as a Democratic consultant.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers said the issue took on new urgency because the judge’s daughter did work for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the Democratic nominee and Mr. Trump’s opponent.
Judge Merchan dismissed the argument, saying an ethics board looked into the matter and felt he was qualified to preside over the case.
“The court now reiterates for the third time, that which should be already clear — innuendo and mischaracterization do not a conflict create. Recusal is therefore not necessary, much less required,” the judge wrote. “As has been the standard throughout the pendency of this case, this court will continue to base its rulings on the evidence and the law, without fear or favor, casting aside undue influence.”
Judge Merchan scolded Mr. Trump and his team, noting previous requests for recusal were denied by higher courts.
“Defendant has provided nothing new for this court to consider,” the judge said.
A Manhattan jury in May found Mr. Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. He faces up to four years in prison at the sentencing next month but is unlikely to do hard time, given his status as a first-time offender and the sensitivity around sending a former president and current GOP nominee into the slammer.
At trial, prosecutors said Mr. Trump criminally concealed a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels around the 2016 campaign with an intent to violate election laws. They said Mr. Trump paid Ms. Daniels through Michael Cohen and concealed reimbursements to the lawyer in 2017 by misidentifying checks.
At trial, the ex-president’s lawyers said he was busy running the country and thought he was paying Mr. Cohen for legal services, so his team logged the checks in that manner. They said the trial was politically motivated.
Mr. Trump also denies having a sexual encounter with Ms. Daniels, as she alleged in detail at trial.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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