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New York prosecutors have accused Donald Trump’s family business and longtime finance director Allen Weisselberg of fraud, alleging failure to pay taxes on some employee benefits.
The indictment, which prosecutors did not seal in Manhattan on Thursday evening, was crucial in a nearly three-year investigation TrumpManhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s business with New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
They accuse Weisselberg and others of higher rank Trump Organization executives cheated the government by informing the tax authorities through various compensation benefits such as free rent, school enrollment and car rental. According to prosecutors, Weisselberg received $ 1.76 million in “indirect compensation” within 16 years.
They said the scheme allowed the Trump Organization to avoid paying some payroll taxes.
Weisselberg, 73, who surrendered to authorities early Thursday morning, was taken to court with handcuffs and pleaded not guilty to a short-term hearing. His lawyer said he would “fight these accusations.”
Earlier in the day, the Trump Organization issued a harsh statement, with prosecutors accusing Weisselberg – “a loving and responsible husband, father and grandfather” – of “using it in an attempt to burn down the former president.”
“This is not justice; this is politics, ”he added.
Trump was not implicated, nor were the three adult children who have served as top executives in the company: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric. However, prosecutors have stated that their investigation continues.
The former U.S. president has repeatedly mocked the investigation as a witch-hunt conducted by his political enemies. Both Vance and James are Democrats.
Trump’s lawyers in recent days have tried to persuade prosecutors to leave. As it became clear that Vance and James were on trial, Trump’s lawyer, Ronald Fischetti, ordered a strong defense.
“In my practice of more than 50 years, I’ve never seen a district attorney’s office run by a company for employee compensation or ordinary benefits,” Fischetti said last week.
In recent months it has become Weisselberg the axis of prosecutors, who described himself as Trump’s “eye and ear” who hoped to convince the man to help with research into a private business with hundreds of Byzantine partnerships.
The former president’s business was already struggling as revenues fell on some of his hotels and golf courses due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some members, such as the Professional Golfers’ Association of America cut the tie As a protest against his role in the January 6 US Capitol uprising.
The Trump organization has about $ 900 million in debt over the next four years, a third of which is personally secured by Trump.
Vance, who will resign at the end of this year, will be handed over to any successor in any case. A recent investigation into the Trump organization has dulled criticism of the current investigation, which has been misled by Donald Jr. and Ivanka over complaints from homebuyers. Later the parties settled.
Vance launched its current investigation in 2018 in response to reports from former Trump repairman Michael Cohen paying money they told two women that they had had extramarital affairs with the then presidential candidate. Cohen later told Congress he agreed with Weisselberg to return the Trump organization through monthly payments listed as legal fees.
The investigation was expanded to investigate possible bank and insurance fraud, according to court records. It is being examined whether the Trump organization inflated the value of certain properties to secure bank loans and insurance, minimizing it for tax purposes, according to information on the subject.
The investigation was thwarted by Trump’s refusal to hand over tax records. Vance dominated He went to the U.S. Supreme Court and eventually took possession of documents in February in a legal battle.
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