Former President Donald Trump's family business chief executive pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion charges.
His CFO Allen Weisselberg of the Trump Organization pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case.
In a low, slightly hoarse voice, he admitted that he had received tax-free benefits worth more than his $1.7 million. This includes tuition fees for his grandchildren, free rent for a Manhattan apartment, and leasing a luxury car. Some of the plums from the book.
READ MORE: Media Calls on US Judge to Release Donald Trump's Search Warrant Affidavit
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan sentences Weisselberg, who consented, to five months' imprisonment at the Rikers Island prison complex in New York City. The judge said Weisselberg had to pay about $2 million in taxes, fines and interest.
Story continues below advertisement
The plea deal also requires Weisselberg to testify honestly as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial on related charges in October. The company has been accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government.
Weisselberg said nothing as he left the courtroom, and when journalists asked if Trump had any message for him, he gave no answer.
Weisselberg's attorney, Nicholas Gravante, Jr., said his client "has put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmare it has caused him and his family." for striking ''he said he pleaded guilty.
"I'm glad I put this behind him," the lawyer added.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weisselberg's plea "indicates that the Trump Organization is directly involved in a wide range of criminal activities, and that Weisselberg has made the following statements against the corporation: We are demanding that you provide valuable testimony at the trial."
Story Continues Below Ad
"We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump organization," he said. He added.
Weisselberg's testimony could undermine the defense of the Trump organization. If convicted, the company could be fined or sentenced to probation and be forced to change certain business practices.
Weisselberg, 75, is so far the only person to face criminal charges in the Manhattan District Attorney's lengthy investigation into the company's business practices.
Weisselberg, who was considered one of Trump's most loyal business associates, was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democratic-led district attorney's office punished him because he failed to provide information that would hurt Trump.
The district attorney is also investigating whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of its assets in order to obtain loans or reduce taxes.
Prior to then-D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr. opening the investigation Last year, Mr. Trump instructed his attorneys to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Mr. Trump, according to former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, who led the investigation.
The story continues under the ad
However, after Vance left office, his successor, Bragg, was found not guilty by a grand jury. allowed to disband. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing.
The Trump Organization was not involved in Weisselberg's guilty plea expected on Thursday and is set to face trial in October over alleged compensation schemes.
Prosecutors alleged that the company had given tax-exempt benefits to senior management, including Weisselberg, during his 15 years. In Weisselberg alone, the federal government, states, and cities have accused him of defrauding over $900,000 in unpaid taxes and unfair tax refunds.
Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, the punishment for grand theft, could be up to 15 years in prison for him. However, there is no minimum duty imposed on the charge, and most first-time offenders in tax-related cases do not end up in prison.
READ MORE: Warrant used to search Trump's home alleges concealment of evidence, other crimes
Tax Evasion Charges If you oppose the Trump Organization, you will be fined twice the unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater.
Trump has not been charged with a criminal investigation. The Republican denounced the New York investigation as a "political witch hunt" and said his firm's actions were standard practice in the real estate business and by no means criminal. 88} Story continues below ad
Last week, Trump testified in parallel civil investigation of New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump's firm misled lenders and taxes. Authority on property values sat down for the recording. Trump has exercised his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times.
© 2022 The Canadian Press