A top executive of former US President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star player against the company in a trial this fall. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weiselberg has pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case. In a low, somewhat husky voice, he admitted receiving more than $1.7 million worth of tax-free perks — including school fees for his grandchildren, free rent on a Manhattan apartment and lease payments on a luxury car — and expressly kept some of plums from books. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York’s Rikers Island prison complex, although he will be eligible for much earlier release if he behaves well behind bars. The judge said Weiselberg must pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and complete five years’ probation. The plea agreement also requires Weiselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government. Trump himself has not been charged in the case. Weiselberg said nothing as he left court, not responding when a reporter asked if he had a message for Trump. Weiselberg’s attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said his client pleaded guilty “to put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmares it has caused him and his family.” “We’re glad to have it behind him,” the lawyer added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weiselberg’s plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weiselberg to provide invaluable testimony in the upcoming trial against the company.” “We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization,” he added. Weisselberg’s testimony could potentially weaken the Trump Organization’s defense. If convicted, the company could face fines or possibly be suspended and forced to change certain business practices. The company praised Weisselberg on Thursday as a trusted, respected veteran employee who has been “pursued and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.” In a statement, the company accused prosecutors of trying to pressure Weiselberg to debunk Trump and of stretching to build a criminal case out of well-known executive perks, such as a company car. The company said it has done nothing wrong, will not admit guilt and looks forward to “having our day in court”. Weisselberg, 75, is the only person facing criminal charges so far in the Manhattan district attorney’s long-running investigation into the company’s business practices. Considered one of Trump’s most loyal business associates, Weiselberg was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democrat’s attorney general’s office was punishing him for not offering information that would damage Trump. The prosecutor also investigated whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of his properties to get loans or lower tax bills. Then-U.S. Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who launched the investigation, last year directed his deputies to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Trump, according to former U.S. Attorney Mark Pomeranz, who previously led the investigation. But after Vance left, his successor, Bragg, allowed the grand jury to dissolve without charges. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing. The Trump Organization was not involved in Weiselberg’s guilty plea on Thursday and is scheduled to stand trial in the alleged compensation scheme in October. Prosecutors alleged the company provided tax-free fringe benefits to senior executives, including Weisselberg, for 15 years. Weisselberg alone was charged with defrauding the federal, state and city governments of more than $900,000 in unpaid taxes and wrongful tax refunds. Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, grand larceny, carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. But the charge carries no mandatory minimum, and most first-time tax offenders never end up behind bars. His sentencing won’t come until after the Trump Organization’s trial, which faces tax fraud charges punishable by a fine of twice the amount of unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater. Trump decried the New York investigations as a “political witch hunt” and said his company’s actions were standard practice in the real estate industry and in no way constituted a crime. Last week, Trump sat down to testify in the parallel political investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump’s company misled lenders and tax authorities about property values. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times. —— Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
title: “Weiselberg Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-03” author: “Jeanette Little”
A top executive of former US President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star player against the company in a trial this fall. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weiselberg has pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case. In a low, somewhat husky voice, he admitted receiving more than $1.7 million worth of tax-free perks — including school fees for his grandchildren, free rent on a Manhattan apartment and lease payments on a luxury car — and expressly kept some of plums from books. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York’s Rikers Island prison complex, although he will be eligible for much earlier release if he behaves well behind bars. The judge said Weiselberg must pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and complete five years’ probation. The plea agreement also requires Weiselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government. Trump himself has not been charged in the case. Weiselberg said nothing as he left court, not responding when a reporter asked if he had a message for Trump. Weiselberg’s attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said his client pleaded guilty “to put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmares it has caused him and his family.” “We’re glad to have it behind him,” the lawyer added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weiselberg’s plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weiselberg to provide invaluable testimony in the upcoming trial against the company.” “We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization,” he added. Weisselberg’s testimony could potentially weaken the Trump Organization’s defense. If convicted, the company could face fines or possibly be suspended and forced to change certain business practices. The company praised Weisselberg on Thursday as a trusted, respected veteran employee who has been “pursued and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.” In a statement, the company accused prosecutors of trying to pressure Weiselberg to debunk Trump and of stretching to build a criminal case out of well-known executive perks, such as a company car. The company said it has done nothing wrong, will not admit guilt and looks forward to “having our day in court”. Weisselberg, 75, is the only person facing criminal charges so far in the Manhattan district attorney’s long-running investigation into the company’s business practices. Considered one of Trump’s most loyal business associates, Weiselberg was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democrat’s attorney general’s office was punishing him for not offering information that would damage Trump. The prosecutor also investigated whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of his properties to get loans or lower tax bills. Then-U.S. Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who launched the investigation, last year directed his deputies to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Trump, according to former U.S. Attorney Mark Pomeranz, who previously led the investigation. But after Vance left, his successor, Bragg, allowed the grand jury to dissolve without charges. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing. The Trump Organization was not involved in Weiselberg’s guilty plea on Thursday and is scheduled to stand trial in the alleged compensation scheme in October. Prosecutors alleged the company provided tax-free fringe benefits to senior executives, including Weisselberg, for 15 years. Weisselberg alone was charged with defrauding the federal, state and city governments of more than $900,000 in unpaid taxes and wrongful tax refunds. Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, grand larceny, carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. But the charge carries no mandatory minimum, and most first-time tax offenders never end up behind bars. His sentencing won’t come until after the Trump Organization’s trial, which faces tax fraud charges punishable by a fine of twice the amount of unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater. Trump decried the New York investigations as a “political witch hunt” and said his company’s actions were standard practice in the real estate industry and in no way constituted a crime. Last week, Trump sat down to testify in the parallel political investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump’s company misled lenders and tax authorities about property values. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times. —— Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
title: “Weiselberg Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-10” author: “Robert Pitre”
A top executive of former US President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star player against the company in a trial this fall. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weiselberg has pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case. In a low, somewhat husky voice, he admitted receiving more than $1.7 million worth of tax-free perks — including school fees for his grandchildren, free rent on a Manhattan apartment and lease payments on a luxury car — and expressly kept some of plums from books. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York’s Rikers Island prison complex, although he will be eligible for much earlier release if he behaves well behind bars. The judge said Weiselberg must pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and complete five years’ probation. The plea agreement also requires Weiselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government. Trump himself has not been charged in the case. Weiselberg said nothing as he left court, not responding when a reporter asked if he had a message for Trump. Weiselberg’s attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said his client pleaded guilty “to put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmares it has caused him and his family.” “We’re glad to have it behind him,” the lawyer added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weiselberg’s plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weiselberg to provide invaluable testimony in the upcoming trial against the company.” “We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization,” he added. Weisselberg’s testimony could potentially weaken the Trump Organization’s defense. If convicted, the company could face fines or possibly be suspended and forced to change certain business practices. The company praised Weisselberg on Thursday as a trusted, respected veteran employee who has been “pursued and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.” In a statement, the company accused prosecutors of trying to pressure Weiselberg to debunk Trump and of stretching to build a criminal case out of well-known executive perks, such as a company car. The company said it has done nothing wrong, will not admit guilt and looks forward to “having our day in court”. Weisselberg, 75, is the only person facing criminal charges so far in the Manhattan district attorney’s long-running investigation into the company’s business practices. Considered one of Trump’s most loyal business associates, Weiselberg was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democrat’s attorney general’s office was punishing him for not offering information that would damage Trump. The prosecutor also investigated whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of his properties to get loans or lower tax bills. Then-U.S. Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who launched the investigation, last year directed his deputies to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Trump, according to former U.S. Attorney Mark Pomeranz, who previously led the investigation. But after Vance left, his successor, Bragg, allowed the grand jury to dissolve without charges. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing. The Trump Organization was not involved in Weiselberg’s guilty plea on Thursday and is scheduled to stand trial in the alleged compensation scheme in October. Prosecutors alleged the company provided tax-free fringe benefits to senior executives, including Weisselberg, for 15 years. Weisselberg alone was charged with defrauding the federal, state and city governments of more than $900,000 in unpaid taxes and wrongful tax refunds. Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, grand larceny, carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. But the charge carries no mandatory minimum, and most first-time tax offenders never end up behind bars. His sentencing won’t come until after the Trump Organization’s trial, which faces tax fraud charges punishable by a fine of twice the amount of unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater. Trump decried the New York investigations as a “political witch hunt” and said his company’s actions were standard practice in the real estate industry and in no way constituted a crime. Last week, Trump sat down to testify in the parallel political investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump’s company misled lenders and tax authorities about property values. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times. —— Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
title: “Weiselberg Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-12” author: “Mary Guerrero”
A top executive of former US President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star player against the company in a trial this fall. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weiselberg has pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case. In a low, somewhat husky voice, he admitted receiving more than $1.7 million worth of tax-free perks — including school fees for his grandchildren, free rent on a Manhattan apartment and lease payments on a luxury car — and expressly kept some of plums from books. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York’s Rikers Island prison complex, although he will be eligible for much earlier release if he behaves well behind bars. The judge said Weiselberg must pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and complete five years’ probation. The plea agreement also requires Weiselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government. Trump himself has not been charged in the case. Weiselberg said nothing as he left court, not responding when a reporter asked if he had a message for Trump. Weiselberg’s attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said his client pleaded guilty “to put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmares it has caused him and his family.” “We’re glad to have it behind him,” the lawyer added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weiselberg’s plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weiselberg to provide invaluable testimony in the upcoming trial against the company.” “We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization,” he added. Weisselberg’s testimony could potentially weaken the Trump Organization’s defense. If convicted, the company could face fines or possibly be suspended and forced to change certain business practices. The company praised Weisselberg on Thursday as a trusted, respected veteran employee who has been “pursued and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.” In a statement, the company accused prosecutors of trying to pressure Weiselberg to debunk Trump and of stretching to build a criminal case out of well-known executive perks, such as a company car. The company said it has done nothing wrong, will not admit guilt and looks forward to “having our day in court”. Weisselberg, 75, is the only person facing criminal charges so far in the Manhattan district attorney’s long-running investigation into the company’s business practices. Considered one of Trump’s most loyal business associates, Weiselberg was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democrat’s attorney general’s office was punishing him for not offering information that would damage Trump. The prosecutor also investigated whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of his properties to get loans or lower tax bills. Then-U.S. Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who launched the investigation, last year directed his deputies to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Trump, according to former U.S. Attorney Mark Pomeranz, who previously led the investigation. But after Vance left, his successor, Bragg, allowed the grand jury to dissolve without charges. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing. The Trump Organization was not involved in Weiselberg’s guilty plea on Thursday and is scheduled to stand trial in the alleged compensation scheme in October. Prosecutors alleged the company provided tax-free fringe benefits to senior executives, including Weisselberg, for 15 years. Weisselberg alone was charged with defrauding the federal, state and city governments of more than $900,000 in unpaid taxes and wrongful tax refunds. Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, grand larceny, carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. But the charge carries no mandatory minimum, and most first-time tax offenders never end up behind bars. His sentencing won’t come until after the Trump Organization’s trial, which faces tax fraud charges punishable by a fine of twice the amount of unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater. Trump decried the New York investigations as a “political witch hunt” and said his company’s actions were standard practice in the real estate industry and in no way constituted a crime. Last week, Trump sat down to testify in the parallel political investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump’s company misled lenders and tax authorities about property values. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times. —— Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
title: “Weiselberg Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-15” author: “Robert Couch”
A top executive of former US President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star player against the company in a trial this fall. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weiselberg has pleaded guilty to all 15 charges he faced in the case. In a low, somewhat husky voice, he admitted receiving more than $1.7 million worth of tax-free perks — including school fees for his grandchildren, free rent on a Manhattan apartment and lease payments on a luxury car — and expressly kept some of plums from books. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York’s Rikers Island prison complex, although he will be eligible for much earlier release if he behaves well behind bars. The judge said Weiselberg must pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and complete five years’ probation. The plea agreement also requires Weiselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. The company is accused of helping Weisselberg and other executives avoid income taxes by failing to accurately report their full compensation to the government. Trump himself has not been charged in the case. Weiselberg said nothing as he left court, not responding when a reporter asked if he had a message for Trump. Weiselberg’s attorney, Nicholas Gravante Jr., said his client pleaded guilty “to put an end to this case and the years of legal and personal nightmares it has caused him and his family.” “We’re glad to have it behind him,” the lawyer added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Weiselberg’s plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization in a wide range of criminal activities and requires Weiselberg to provide invaluable testimony in the upcoming trial against the company.” “We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization,” he added. Weisselberg’s testimony could potentially weaken the Trump Organization’s defense. If convicted, the company could face fines or possibly be suspended and forced to change certain business practices. The company praised Weisselberg on Thursday as a trusted, respected veteran employee who has been “pursued and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.” In a statement, the company accused prosecutors of trying to pressure Weiselberg to debunk Trump and of stretching to build a criminal case out of well-known executive perks, such as a company car. The company said it has done nothing wrong, will not admit guilt and looks forward to “having our day in court”. Weisselberg, 75, is the only person facing criminal charges so far in the Manhattan district attorney’s long-running investigation into the company’s business practices. Considered one of Trump’s most loyal business associates, Weiselberg was arrested in July 2021. His lawyers argued that the Democrat’s attorney general’s office was punishing him for not offering information that would damage Trump. The prosecutor also investigated whether Trump or his company lied to banks or the government about the value of his properties to get loans or lower tax bills. Then-U.S. Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who launched the investigation, last year directed his deputies to present evidence to a grand jury and seek an indictment against Trump, according to former U.S. Attorney Mark Pomeranz, who previously led the investigation. But after Vance left, his successor, Bragg, allowed the grand jury to dissolve without charges. Both prosecutors are Democrats. Bragg said the investigation is ongoing. The Trump Organization was not involved in Weiselberg’s guilty plea on Thursday and is scheduled to stand trial in the alleged compensation scheme in October. Prosecutors alleged the company provided tax-free fringe benefits to senior executives, including Weisselberg, for 15 years. Weisselberg alone was charged with defrauding the federal, state and city governments of more than $900,000 in unpaid taxes and wrongful tax refunds. Under state law, the most serious charge against Weisselberg, grand larceny, carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. But the charge carries no mandatory minimum, and most first-time tax offenders never end up behind bars. His sentencing won’t come until after the Trump Organization’s trial, which faces tax fraud charges punishable by a fine of twice the amount of unpaid taxes or $250,000, whichever is greater. Trump decried the New York investigations as a “political witch hunt” and said his company’s actions were standard practice in the real estate industry and in no way constituted a crime. Last week, Trump sat down to testify in the parallel political investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that Trump’s company misled lenders and tax authorities about property values. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination more than 400 times. —— Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
