Another day, another high-profile indictment. On July 1st, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office took aim at former President Donald Trump’s real estate business, the Trump Organization. The organization was charged in a 15-count felony indictment with various financial crimes including scheming to defraud, conspiracy, grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, and falsifying business records. Allen Weisselberg, the company’s chief financial officer, was also indicted alongside the organization.
Prosecutors allege the organization perpetuated a 15-year long scheme in which it failed to pay some of its payroll taxes and purposely minimized the reported income of its executives like Weisselberg so they would not have to pay their full share of taxes. It would do so by giving Weisselberg unreported benefits like bonuses, school tuition for his family, home furnishings, a car, and a rent-free apartment without him reporting them as income.
Weisselberg and the Trump Organization pleaded not guilty to all charges in court. If convicted as charged, Weisselberg could be sentenced to over a decade in prison. The organization, if convicted, would face fines and other sanctions.
No other executives with the organization (like the Trumps) were named in the indictment, though it did reference an unnamed co-conspirator. However, it remains to be seen whether this indictment will serve as the tip of the iceberg for criminal proceedings against other members of the Trump family, as well.
The contents of this article and blog are for meant for informational and marketing purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the blog does not form an attorney-client relationship. No statements in this post are a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of a particular result in your case.