Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Plead Guilty in New York Tax Evasion Case
The Manhattan District Attorney is continuing its investigation into the Trump Organization. One of their biggest targets is former President Donald Trump's longtime friend and Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.
Weisselberg, 75, allegedly took over $1.7 million in off-the-books compensation from the company, including car payments, rent, and school tuition, The Associated Press reported.
Three people familiar with the matter told The AP that he is expected to plead guilty this week in the tax evasion case as part of a deal. Weisselberg will reportedly enter a guilty plea during a hearing on Thursday at 9 a.m.
However, the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Weisselberg previously pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and tax fraud charges. The Trump Organization also pleaded not guilty to tax fraud, falsifying business records, and other charges.
These are all part of the criminal investigations into the Trump Organization, which allegedly devised a 15-year scheme to compensate and help its top executives, including Allen Weisselberg, avoid paying taxes.
Allen Weisselberg Trial Set for October After Judge Denied His Attempt to Dismiss Charges
Lawyer Nicholas Gravante Jr., who represents Allen Weisselberg, told the New York Times that he has been negotiating a plea agreement to resolve the case.
This news came after a judge denied the request of Weisselberg's lawyers to drop the case. In denying the request, acting Justice Juan Merchan said last week that the evidence presented to a grand jury was "legally sufficient," CNBC reported.
However, the same judge did drop one of the cases against the Trump Organization on statute of limitations grounds. Allen Weisselberg surrendered in June last year after his indictment. He had been set for trial in October.
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Who is Allen Weisselberg?
The Trump Organization CFO worked for Donald Trump's family almost his entire life. Allen Weisselberg started working for Trump's father, Fred Sr., in 1973 as an accountant after graduating from Pace University.
Weisselberg soon started assisting Trump on various projects before working for him full-time in 1986. With his job as CFO, Yahoo! News reported that he dealt with Trump's money across various projects and sometimes blurred the lines between personal and business matters.
Weisselberg often helped with the former president's tax returns and negotiated his loans. He also oversaw the finances for various Trump-related institutions, including the infamously fraudulent Trump University and his now-defunct charitable foundation.
The CFO is reportedly so attached to Trump's finances that former Trump campaign aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie have said that Weisselberg "knows of every dime that leaves the building." The former accountant also signed the checks to reimburse adult film star Stormy Daniels in the illegal hush money payments.
Weisselberg has been Donald Trump's right-hand man for over three decades. By going after him, authorities are expected to uncover more about the shady dealings made by Trump and the Trump organization.
However, the plea deal with Allen Weisselberg would reportedly not require him to testify or cooperate in any way with an ongoing criminal investigation into the former president's business practices. If the plea deal becomes final, he was expected only to receive a five-month jail sentence.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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