Trump Org. and its CFO, Allen Weisselberg Indicted on 25 Felony Charges
By Nikki Slusher
New York prosecutors have charged the Trump Organization, Trump Payroll Corp., and its longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, with a total of 25 felony indictments on Thursday. Lawyers for both the Trump Org. and Weisselberg plead not guilty to the tax-related indictments in a Manhattan courtroom. As the documents were unsealed during the arraignment, revealing the ten charges the Trump Org. and the 15 charges CFO Allen Weisselberg are facing.
Mr. Weisselberg was arraigned just one day after it was reported that a grand jury had decided to indict him and the Trump family’s company with charges related to conspiracy, criminal tax fraud, scheme to defraud, and falsifying business records. Weisselberg is also charged with offering a false instrument for filing and grand larceny.
The Manhattan DA’s case centers on fringe benefits provided to employees, such as use of automobiles and apartments, with Weisselberg evading over $1.76 million in taxes for his compensations that were “off-the-book.” The alleged scheme dates back to as early as 2005, and his concealment of these during his time as a New York City resident allowed him to avoid paying city, state, and federal income taxes related to these benefits. Prosecutors said that Weisselberg attempted to downplay his role in the scheme and knowledge about the company’s mishandling of finances. Digital hard drives that include `grand jury testimonies, tax records, statements from potential witnesses, and bookkeeping records. A copy of these drives was provided to the lawyers for the company and Weisselberg this afternoon.
The indictments filed by the Manhattan DA’s office are the first to charge former President Donald Trump for criminal conduct, specifically relating to his family’s business. Weisselberg was released on his own recognizance and turned in his passport during his hearing. Shortly after the arraignment, NY AG Letitia James made a statement Thursday calling the indictments against the Trump Org. and Weisselberg an “important marker in the ongoing criminal investigation.”
“Today is an important marker in the ongoing criminal investigation of the Trump Organization and its CFO, Allen Weisselberg. In the indictment, we allege, among other things, financial wrongdoing whereby the Trump Organization engaged in a scheme with Mr. Weisselberg to avoid paying taxes on certain compensation. This investigation will continue, and we will follow the facts and the law wherever they may lead,” James said. “The charges relate to the alleged failure by Weisselberg to pay New York state and federal income taxes on approximately $1.7 million in compensation. This is part of an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by Attorney General James and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.”
As I have been following this case since the investigation was announced last year, I like to give our readers a prediction on how things will go. Previously, I had written that the first indictments would come at some point this summer – which finally happened. As Weisselberg has yet to flip, I believe that by August, we will see him plead guilty to a handful of his charges in exchange for his testimony which will incriminate Trump and his oldest children in being the shot callers and using Weisselberg as their puppet.
Everyone get your popcorn ready for the handcuff shuffle coming soon to a Manhattan courtroom.
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