Former President Donald Trump has become the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. The jury deliberated for nine and a half hours before delivering the landmark verdict.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Trump orchestrated payments to Daniels to suppress her claims of a sexual encounter with him in 2006, aiming to influence the election outcome. The counts include falsified invoices, ledger entries, and checks used to reimburse Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who facilitated the payments.

In a statement outside the courtroom, Trump maintained his innocence, calling the trial “a disgrace” and “rigged.” He plans to appeal the verdict. Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention.

This conviction introduces a complex dynamic as Trump seeks to campaign for the 2024 presidential election amidst ongoing legal battles.