On Thursday, Allen Weisselberg, who was the Trump family’s former chief financial officer, plead guilty to 15 counts of tax fraud and more. The longtime executive and loyal employee finally agreed to turn against the Trump organization and will be give some clemency in the charges filed against him, if he would truthfully testify about the financial lapses that have allegedly been made by the organization. He has been working for the Trump family for decades and might be privy to several deals.
Judge Juan Merchan said that the executive, who will be 75 years old next month, was accused of not paying taxes on $1.7 million of his income. He will pay $1.9 million in back taxes including interest and penalties to the State of New York and New York City. He will serve a five-month jail term in Rikers Island followed by five years of probation, according to the plea agreement reached, after Weisselberg changed his 2021 not guilty plea to guilty in August 2022.
On Thursday, when he appeared in court, Weisselberg said that he knew that he could face a maximum sentence in prison, as the judge told him that he could be sentenced up to 15 years, if he failed to pay his taxes or if he didn’t testify truthfully this fall, during the trial of the Trump Organization.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization released a statement describing Weisselberg as a “honorable man” and said that he had been targeted by law enforcement, mainly the Manhattan District Attorney. It also stated that the investigation was politically motivated against Trump and that they looked forward to having their day in court.
The trial date has been set for October 24 and the Trump Organization could face heavy penalties, if indicted. The tax evasion reportedly stretched over a period of 16 years. However, Donald Trump has not been personally indicted.
( Photo lev radin )
Weisselberg, Trump Organization CFO Leaves Trump’s Scotland Golf Business After Tax Crimes Charge
