On Tuesday, a jury in New York found Trump Organization guilty of all charges in the massive 15 year tax fraud scheme. Prosecutors claimed that it was orchestrated and coordinated by senior executives.
The jury deliberated for nearly a full day before returning guilty verdicts on 17 charges, including conspiracy to defraud, criminal tax fraud, and falsifying business records. At sentencing, the company will be fined approximately $1.6 million.
After a multiyear investigation by the Manhattan district attorneys’ office into the company’s financial practices, the Trump Organization and Allen Weisselberg were indicted.
Prosecutors claimed that Trump Corp. and Trump Payroll Corp. were part of the company and paid their executives, including Weisselberg, more than they earned by “cheating their taxes” with a series schemes that offered off-the-books perks such as luxury cars and apartments for free.
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, stated Tuesday that the case was about greed and cheating.
Bragg stated that the scheme by Trump Corporation and Trump Payroll Corporation was a scam that gave high-ranking executives lavish perks and compensation, while concealing taxing authorities’ benefits to avoid taxes. “Today’s verdict holds the Trump companies responsible for their long-running criminal scheme.”
Weisselberg, 75-year-old , pleaded guiltyto fifteen felony charges in August. He was also the star witness for the prosecution. They argued that Weisselberg was still on the Trump Organization’s payroll and therefore the only bad actor. They claimed that he was the mastermind of the scheme, and not for the benefit of the company.
Defense lawyer Susan Necheles stated in closing arguments that “We are here today due to one reason and one only, because the greed of Allen Weisselberg.”
Trump, was not charged and complained on Tuesday morning about the case on social media. The former president falsely claimed on Truth Social that New York City’s murder and violent crime rates are at an all time high. He then said that the district attorney’s office was “fighting a political Witch Hunt against Trump.”
