Former CFO must testify about Trump Organization business practices in court
NEW YORK — A longtime senior executive in Donald Trump's family business pleaded guilty Thursday to a 15-year conspiracy to evade taxes. He testifies about the company's business practices.
Former Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, on all 15 of his charges before Judge Juan Marchan in New York state court in Manhattan. filed a petition.
Weisselberg, 75, is not expected to cooperate with Manhattan prosecutors in the massive investigation into Trump himself, but his plea could strengthen their case against the Trump organization.
A trial is scheduled for October, and the Trump Organization has pleaded not guilty. Donald Trump has not been indicted or accused of wrongdoing.
"This plea bargain demonstrates direct involvement of the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weisselberg to provide valuable testimony at the upcoming trial," said Manhattan District. Prosecutor Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "We look forward to proving our claims in court."
The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
36} Prosecutors in July 2021 charged the company and Weisselberg with conspiring to defraud, tax evasion and falsifying business records, saying some executives received "off-the-books" compensation.Weisselberg was accused of hiding and evading taxes on income of $1.76 million.
This included the rent of a Manhattan apartment, the lease of two Mercedes-Benz cars, and tuition fees for relatives, for which Trump signed a tuition check.
His five months in Rikers Prison
In a plea deal, Weisselberg was to serve five months in prison on Rikers Island, but after 100 days may be released.
Weisselberg's proposed judgment also includes five years of probation, and he seeks to pay $1.99 million in taxes, fines and interest.
Prison sentences begin after the Trump organization's trial is over. If convicted at trial, including on grand theft charges, he could face 15 years in prison. explained each of the charges in the indictment and agreed that the charges against him were true. The years of legal and personal nightmare it has caused him and his family.
The Trump Organization rejected allegations that Weisselberg was targeted because he did not stand up to his longtime boss.
It manages golf clubs, hotels and other real estate. If you are found guilty at trial, you may face fines and other penalties.
Jury selection will begin on his October 24th, 15 days before the November 8th midterm elections, with Trump's Republicans hoping to retake both houses of Congress from Democrats. I'm in.
Trump has yet to reveal whether he plans to run for the White House again in 2024.
Carry out an "ongoing" investigation
Mr. Weisselberg has worked for Mr. Trump for almost half a century.
He resigned from his CFO position after he and the Trump Organization were indicted, but remains on Trump's payroll as a senior adviser.
The indictment stemmed from an investigation by former Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, but lost steam after Bragg took office as district attorney in his January.
Two prosecutors leading the investigation resigned in February, and one said Trump should be charged with a felony, but Bragg
In a statement on Thursday, Bragg said the investigation was ongoing.
Trump faces many other legal battles.
Last week, FBI agents searched the former US president's home for classified documents and other documents from his tenure.
Two days after his death, Trump announced that New York Attorney General Leticia was deposed in a civil investigation into his business by James, citing his Fifth Amendment right to self-incrimination. , repeatedly refused to answer questions.
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