Trump Organization CFO pleaded not guilty after being arrested

The Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded not guilty to tax crimes on Thursday in a New York court, the first charges being related to an investigation into the affairs of former Republican President Donald Trump.

Weisselberg, 73, was brought into the room handcuffed for prosecution before a state judge, after surrendering to New York authorities.

Weisselberg’s indictment had been awaited for days as part of a nearly three-year investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney into the affairs of the Trump Organization.

Although for the moment Trump himself would not be among the accused, nor any member of his family, The allegations could deal a severe blow to the former president, who has suggested he could run for the White House again in 2024.

The Trump Organization and Weisselberg have been charged with 15 crimes, among them a plan of fraud, conspiracy, grand theft and falsification of turnover.

Considered the keeper of secrets of the Trump Organization, Weisselberg accused of tax evasion on $ 1.7 million in income over 15 years, according to the indictment. The charges are said to be related to taxes on marginal profits.

Weisselberg “will fight these charges in court,” his lawyers Mary Mulligan and Bryan Skarlatos told the agency. AFP.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance and New York State Attorney General Letitia James have investigated whether Weisselberg and other leaders evaded the Trump Organization’s income tax payment. Benefits included tuition at private schools, car rentals, and luxury apartments, according to the media.

“Political” indictment

Trump, 75, dismissed the charges against his company and Weisselberg on Thursday, calling them “Political witch hunt for radical left Democrats.” “It is dividing our country like never before!” Said the former president.

The Trump organization said in a statement that prosecutors were using Weisselberg as “A pawn in a scorched earth strategy to harm the former president.”

“This is not justice, this is politics,” said a spokesperson for the New York mogul’s family business. in a statement quoted by several American media.

The Trump Organization is an unlisted family-owned holding company that owns golf clubs, hotels and luxury properties. Trump handed over the reins of the company to his two oldest sons and Weisselberg when he took office in early 2017.

New York prosecutors tried to get Weisselberg to cooperate with their extensive investigations into the finances of the Trump Organization. The indictment would increase the pressure on him to do his part.

New York prosecutors are investigating whether the business has consistently overstated or undervalued its assets, including various New York State buildings, to obtain bank loans or reduce taxes.

Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael cohen, said they did, which could constitute possible tax evasion or insurance fraud.

The surveys also cover eight years of Trump tax returns, obtained by prosecutors in February after a long legal battle that reached the Supreme Court.

Vance’s investigation initially focused on silent payments made to two women who claim to have had affairs with Trump, before the investigation is extended.

(By Peter Hutchison – AFP)

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