Former President Trump is scheduled to accept an appointment with a New York probation officer on Monday, a necessary step before his July sentencing in a criminal hush-money case, according to three people familiar with the matter.
People familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Trump will conduct the interview via computer video conference from his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose the plans.
One of Trump’s lawyers, Todd Branch, will attend the interview. People convicted in New York typically meet with probation officers without attorneys, but Juan Merchan, the judge in the Trump case, said in a letter Friday that he would allow Branch Attend.
The usual purpose of a pre-sentence probation interview is to prepare a report that provides the judge with more information about the defendant and may help determine an appropriate punishment for the crime.
This type of report is usually prepared by a probation officer, social worker, or probation department psychologist, who interviews the defendant and possibly family and friends of the defendant, as well as people affected by the crime.
The appearance report includes the defendant’s personal history, criminal record, and sentencing recommendations. It will also include information about employment and any obligations to help care for family members. It is also an opportunity for defendants to say why they believe they deserve a lighter sentence.
A jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records at his company as part of a broader scheme to silence those who might have told embarrassing stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. One of the payments, $130,000, was made to porn actor Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had sexual contact with Trump, which he denies.
Republican presidential candidate Trump said he did not commit any criminal wrongdoing and that the criminal charges were filed to hurt his chances of regaining the White House.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang said in a statement on Sunday that President Joe Biden’s Democratic allies “continue to intensify the ongoing witch hunt and further abuse and misuse the power of his office to interfere in the presidential election.”
“President Trump and his legal team are already taking the necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan District Attorney’s case,” he said.
Merchant plans to sentence Trump on July 11.
