Donald Trump faces maximum sentence of 136 years in jail

Former president of the United States, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in New York to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of 136 years in prison. However, the actual sentence will likely be far less than that if he is convicted on any or all counts.

In New York, falsifying business records is typically a misdemeanour charge, but rises to the level of felony with a maximum of four years in jail, when the intent of the defendant to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.

Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney was asked at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon why the second concealed crime was not specified in the indictment.

"Let me say as an initial matter that the indictment doesn't specify it because the law does not so require. In my remarks, I mentioned a couple of laws which I will highlight again now. The first is New York state election law, which makes it a crime to conspire to promote a candidacy by unlawful means. I further indicated a number of unlawful means, including additional false statements, including statements that were planned to be made to tax authorities. I also noted the federal election law cap on contribution limits," Bragg told reporters.

Bragg also accused Trump and his associates of employing a 'catch and kill' scheme to bury potentially damaging information ahead of the elections in 2016.

"Trump then went to great lengths to hide this conduct, causing dozens of false entries in business records to conceal criminal activity, including attempts to violate state and federal election laws. In total, 34 false entries were made in New York business records to conceal the initial covert $130,000 payment," Bragg alleged.

The indictment of Trump comes after a year-long investigation by the Manhattan prosecutors into hush-money payments that he had made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDoughal. Both are said to have had affairs with Trump, a charge he denies.

Trump who is the leading Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential elections, has called the investigation, 'political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history.'