Former Donald Trump lawyer Tim Parlatore on Thursday advised the ex-president not to speak at his sentencing. (Watch the video below.)
Earlier in the day, Trump was found guilty of disguising hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels as legal expenses to keep their alleged hookup out of the public eye before the 2016 election.
Trump faces sentencing on July 11 before Judge Juan Merchan, whom the Republican candidate repeatedly criticized during the trial (though he did not take the stand.) Merchan threatened Trump with jail time for repeatedly defying a gag order regarding potential witnesses and others in the court.
Now that Trump is convicted, Parlatore recommended silence.
“I’ll tell you one thing – and I’ve done sentencing before Judge Merchan before – I would not suggest the defendant speak at the sentencing,” he said on CNN. “Of course, that’s his right, whether he wants to speak or not.”
“Even to say he’s …