Allen Weisselberg declined to assist the authorities, but he might be asked to testify against his former employer.
Allen Weisselberg pleads guilty in Tax Scheme
In a lengthy tax fraud plot, a former top executive of the Trump Organization implicated the business when he entered a guilty plea in New York Supreme Court on Thursday.
Former President Donald Trump’s company’s chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg entered a guilty plea in a criminal case that the Manhattan district attorney prosecuted.
Allen Weisselberg admitted to a 15-year plot to get out of paying taxes on extravagant benefits obtained from the business.
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He was charged with 15 felonies, including grand theft, criminal tax fraud, fraud scheme, and manipulating company records, last year.
Additionally accused in the case was the Trump Organization itself. The business is still being investigated and will not have entered a guilty plea.
When the case goes to trial, Weisselberg consented to provide testimony.
But, his plea bargain did not include a commitment to assist in further ongoing investigations into Trump.
As Allen Weisselberg entered his plea, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a statement saying, “This plea agreement implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activity and demands that Weisselberg give priceless testimony in the future trial against the company.
“We are excited to argue against the Trump Organization in court with proof.
Weisselberg acknowledged working with other company leaders to make off-the-books payments to evade paying taxes.
He hid about $1.7 million in pay, which included the rent on a Manhattan apartment. The leases on two Mercedes, and the cost of his grandchildren’s private schooling.
Justice Juan Merchan of the Supreme Court read down each charge against him. And questioned whether it was true that he had committed the acts.
Allen Weisselberg acknowledged that he did, holding the Trump Organization and its representatives accountable for his actions.
To make sure that Allen Weisselberg abides by the conditions of the agreement by giving accurate testimony.
The court postponed sentencing until after the trial. If he does, he will receive a term of five months on Riker’s Island in New York City and five years of probation.
He risks up to 15 years in prison if he breaks the agreement by lying in his testimony at trial.
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Allen Weisselberg agreed to pay taxes totaling over $2 million
Allen Weisselberg consented to pay close to $2 million in taxes, plus interest and penalties. He gave up the chance to appeal.
“Mr. Weisselberg decided to enter a plea of guilty today to put an end to this matter.
And the years-long legal and personal horrors it has caused for him and his family.
The lawyer for the defendant, Nicholas Gravante Jr. “Has decided to serve 100 days in prison rather than run the chance of serving 15 years.
We are relieved that this is now behind him.
As he and his wife walked out of the courthouse in lower Manhattan, Weisselberg remained silent.
The argument was made after Merchan turned down Allen Weisselberg’s request to dismiss the case last week.
He had been urged to dismiss the case by Allen Weisselberg and the Trump Organization.
The prosecution had wrongfully “selected Donald Trump’s associates. And organizations for inquiry and prosecution based on their animus for his speech and political ideas.”
Merchan, however, refuted all but one of the charges of fraud brought against the Trump Organization.
Trump is currently dealing with several, growing legal threats.
