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☆ Prosecutors rest case in Trump Organization's criminal tax fraud trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Trump Organization, which operates hotels, golf courses and other real estate around the world, could face up to $1.6 million in fines for the three tax fraud counts and six other counts it faces, if convicted. Trump, a Republican who last week launched another bid for the presidency in 2024, has called the charges politically motivated. The district attorney's office charged the Trump Organization and Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to charges including grand larceny and tax fraud in an August deal with prosecutors calling for a jail sentence of five months if he testified truthfully in the trial. Weisselberg, who has worked for the company for nearly half a century, is on paid leave from the Trump Organization. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday named a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department's investigations related to Trump including his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving office and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

☆ At the Trump Org. trial, 3 jurors closed their eyes and appeared to briefly fall asleep during dense testimony about taxes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

During a morning of dense financial testimony, three jurors and one alternate closed their eyes. The apparent sleepiness hit as a state tax investigator described auditing CFO Allen Weisselberg. Jurors in the Trump Organization's ongoing criminal tax-fraud trial struggled to stay awake during dense financial testimony on Monday morning. Their eyes closed and their heads nodded forward — or, in one female juror's case, tilted backward — at points in the testimony. Prosecutors had called their final witness, a state tax investigator, to the stand to describe how he audited the company's former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump did not discipline Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg after finding out he'd been cheating on his taxes — and later gave him a raise to make up for the shortfall, the ex-CFO testified Friday. Trump's eldest sons took over control of the company following the 2016 presidential election. He pleaded guilty in August and agreed to testify truthfully against his employer in return for a five month jail sentence. Pressed by prosecutors on Friday, he said, "There was some benefits to the company but primarily it was due to my greed." Did a long time executive pay tax on the use of a company car, or a company apartment, or payments (not even taken by us as a tax deduction!)

Weisselberg testified that during the cleanup, Trump's sons knew the company paid executives' personal expenses that were not reported as income, and gave them bonuses as if they were independent contractors. Weisselberg said the company also did not fire or otherwise discipline two other executives who had engaged in similar practices. He said he had little interaction with Trump about the company after Trump became president. But he said Trump was aware the company had paid rent on Weisselberg's luxury Manhattan apartment for years, and signed the lease in 2005. Weisselberg told Hoffinger he did not recall whether Futerfas seemed unhappy with his testimony.

But Weisselberg said Trump did not conspire with him on the tax fraud scheme for which the Trump Organization is on trial. Weisselberg pleaded guilty in August and agreed to testify as part of a plea deal. But under cross-examination by Trump Organization lawyer Alan Futerfas, Weisselberg said he conspired with McConney, but not with any member of the Trump family. McConney is immune from prosecution for the tax fraud because he testified before the grand jury that indicted both Weisselberg and the Trump Organization. The questionable practices eventually came to an end in 2017 when Trump became president, Weisselberg said.

☆ Trump Org's new court-appointed 'watchdog,' retired judge Barbara Jones, can now inspect the company books
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Retired federal judge Barbara Jones, left, is the newly-appointed special monitor for the real estate company owned by former President Donald Trump, right. Jones will monitor for what a Manhattan judge has termed persistent fraud at Donald Trump's company. The company must give her at least 30 days' notice of any plan to sell "significant" assets or restructure the company. Trump's company must pay Jones and any other professionals she reasonably finds necessary for her work. The longtime company financial executive must testify truthfully to keep his August low-jail tax-fraud plea deal.

☆ Loyal ex-CFO Allen Weisselberg is done testifying at Trump Org tax-fraud trial that Trump calls 'VERY UNFAIR!'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Allen Weisselberg, Trump's ex-CFO, has finished testifying in the Trump Org trial. The Manhattan DA's case "has fallen apart," Trump grumbled, meanwhile, of the "VERY UNFAIR!" Still, his loyalties clearly remain with the same Trump Organization that is paying him. on salary that wasn't declared as salary, Susan Hoffinger, one of the two lead prosecutors, asked Weisselberg. "It was some benefit to the company," Weisselberg admitted, though he added, "but it was primarily through my greed."

Asked by Trump lawyer Alan Futerfas in cross-examination whether Trump or anyone else in the company gave him permission to "commit tax fraud," Weisselberg said, "No." Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg and attorney Alan Futerfas in court in New York on Thursday. Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, left, arrives in court in New York on Thursday. He also agreed “to testify truthfully at the upcoming trial of the Trump Organization” or face up to five to 15 years in prison. He testified earlier Thursday that the Trump Organization cleaned up its business practices after Trump was elected president because of the extra scrutiny it was under.

☆ Trump Org ex-CFO tears up on stand while describing his 'betrayal' of the Trump family
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Donald Trump's ex-CFO is the key DA witness in the Trump Organization tax-fraud trial in Manhattan. Alan Futerfas, a Trump Org defense lawyer, asked the wistful witness in a courtroom in Manhattan. Futerfas asked Weisselberg. Futerfas asked. the lawyer asked.

☆ As Trump Org's jail-bound ex-CFO testifies, Harvey Weinstein's prison consultant is watching
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Jail-bound Allen Weisselberg, Trump's ex-CFO, is testifying in the Trump Org tax-fraud trial. Harvey Weinstein's prison coach, Craig Rothfeld, is sitting with the ex-CFO's lawyers, watching. Clearly still loyal to Trump, his boss since the mid-'80s, Weisselberg has been doing a delicate dance on the witness stand. If he displeases prosecutors, the 75-year-old accountant could find himself serving a state prison term. Prosecutors, though, must prove that Weisselberg intended this benefit to the company, something he has yet to say.

☆ 5 reasons Trump's ex-CFO, testifying in the Trump Org tax-fraud trial, is the worst prosecution witness ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Trump Organization tax-fraud trial is in its fourth week; ex-CFO Allen Weisselberg is testifying. But was Allen Weisselberg, Trump's first and only chief financial officer, ever really flipped? Or Trump's company, which is still paying him $1.4 million this year in salary plus bonus? Here are five reasons Weisselberg is shaping up to be the worst prosecution witness ever. Donald Trump or Eric Trump approved those executive salaries, bonuses and perks, Hoffinger, the prosecutor, told jurors, who have seen many of the signed checks and signatures that prove this.

Trump, a Republican, has accused the Justice Department of engaging in a partisan witch hunt. NEW YORK CRIMINAL PROBEThe Trump Organization is on trial on New York tax fraud charges, in a criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Committee vice chair Liz Cheney, a Republican, has said the committee could make referrals to the Justice Department seeking criminal charges against Trump. Only the Justice Department can decide whether to charge Trump with federal crimes. Legal experts said Trump may have violated at least three Georgia criminal election laws: conspiracy to commit election fraud, criminal solicitation to commit election fraud and intentional interference with performance of election duties.

☆ Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Testifies at Company’s Tax-Fraud Trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Corinne Ramey | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg arrive for court Tuesday in New York. Longtime Donald Trump confidant Allen Weisselberg testified Tuesday at the Trump Organization’s criminal tax-fraud trial that during his tenure as the company’s finance chief he and the business evaded paying taxes on benefits he received, including leased cars and a rent-free apartment. Mr. Weisselberg and the Trump Organization were indicted last year in the case, and Mr. Weisselberg in August pleaded guilty to all 15 counts he faced. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to testify at his longtime employer’s trial. Mr. Trump, who has called the case politically motivated, wasn’t charged.

Weisselberg, 75, said Trump was aware that compensation for executives included perks such as apartments and luxury cars in lieu of extra salary. The company later announced Weisselberg was being removed as CFO, but he testified Tuesday that his duties — and his salary — have largely remained the same. Lawyers for the Trump companies named in the indictment have argued that Weisselberg was the lone bad actor, and that both the company and Trump should not be blamed. Weisselberg said Tuesday that he first went to work for Trump's father Fred Trump in 1973, and has worked for Donald Trump since 1986. Other potential witnesses in the trial could include Trump, his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and his daughter Ivanka Trump.

☆ Donald Trump launched a third bid for president at a time when his legal troubles have never been worse
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Trump announced his 3rd presidential bid in the same place that federal agents view as a suspected crime scene. With midterms over, the Justice Department could soon signal its next steps. The Justice Department has pursued its investigations undeterred by Trump's signaling plans for a third presidential bid, and his formal campaign launch will not protect him. The Justice Department could soon signal its next steps. Ahead of the midterms, Republicans warned that they would wield committees to mount oversight investigations and grill the Justice Department and FBI about investigations involving Trump.

Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's former chief financial officer, spoke about the savings during testimony as the prosecution's star witness. Weisselberg pleaded guilty in August to avoiding taxes on $1.76 million in income and helping engineer tax fraud. He said if the Trump Organization gave him a raise to cover those expenses, it would have cost the company twice as much to account for his resulting taxes. They have also sought to blame Mazars, which for many years prepared Trump Organization tax returns. The trial's first witness, Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney, testified that he did not know whether executives' rent payments were taxable income.

☆ Trump Org lawyers debut a new defense at the company's New York tax-fraud trial: Trump is just a generous boss
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Trump Organization criminal tax-fraud trial is in its fourth week in lower Manhattan. On Tuesday, lawyers for Trump's company debuted a new defense: Trump is just a generous boss. An employee brushed off the DA's best evidence — checks signed by Trump — as mere "gifts." defense lawyer Michael van der Veen asked the witness, referring to Allen Weisselberg, the company's ex-CFO. Trump's company, though not Trump himself, is on trial in New York Supreme Court fighting charges it was in on the scheme.

☆ Tale of 2 Donalds: Trump Org defense shifts blame away from Donald Trump and onto Mazars' Donald Bender
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But another Donald — Mazars accountant Donald Bender — saw it all and said nothing, McConney said. "Did you understand that Mr. Bender was paid to make sure that the Trump Corporation books were kept correctly?" Bender, McConney told jurors, handled most of the Trump Organization's tax matters as a partner at Mazars, the Trump Organization's longtime outside accounting firm. Necheles, the defense lawyer, asked McConney, who answered, "Yes." Necheles asked McConney.

Companies Trump Organization Inc FollowNEW YORK, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Allen Weisselberg, a longtime senior executive at former U.S. President Donald Trump's family business, took the stand on Tuesday as the prosecution's star witness at the Trump Organization's tax fraud trial in New York state court. Weisselberg, 75, pleaded guilty in August to avoiding taxes on $1.76 million in personal income and helping Trump's real estate company engineer the tax fraud scheme. During questioning by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Tuesday, Weisselberg said he began working as an accountant for Trump's father, the real estate developer Fred Trump, in 1973. Weisselberg said the Trump Organization's business portfolio grew more diversified since he began working there, branching out into hotels, golf courses and commercial properties. Weisselberg is the third witness to take the stand in the trial, which began with jury selection on Oct. 24.

☆ Trump Org's ex-CFO says Eric Trump will decide if he'll get his annual $500,000 bonus after his testimony in the criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Laura Italiano | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Weisselberg testified in court that Eric Trump will decide if he gets his annual $500,000 bonus. Weisselberg is the prosecutors' key witness in the criminal tax-fraud trial of Donald Trump's company. When asked by a prosecutor whether he still expects to receive his annual $500,000 bonus this year, Weisselberg replied, "I don't know yet." prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Weisselberg in the lower Manhattan courtroom, prompting him to reply, "Eric Trump," who is one of Donald Trump's three sons. Hoffinger asked Weisselberg, who then answered, "Yes."

☆ The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Dan Berman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

CNN —All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, whose third White House bid has already become mired in controversy. The Justice Department investigation continues into whether documents from the Trump White House were illegally mishandled when they were brought to Mar-a-Lago in Florida after he left office. Any unauthorized retention or destruction of White House documents could violate a criminal law that prohibits the removal or destruction of official government records, legal experts told CNN. During the panel’s hearings this summer, fingers were pointed at GOP lawmakers and Trump allies who tried to help overturn the election and Trump White House officials who failed to stop the former president’s actions. Recently, DOJ moved to compel additional testimony from former White House counsel Pat Cipollone and deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin.

☆ Trump Org is battling prosecutors over 3 little words that could swing the New York tax-fraud trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

It's not enough, they'll be told, for Trump Org executives to get caught selfishly stuffing their pockets. Prosecutors, meanwhile, find the three words so worrisome, they asked the judge — unsuccessfully — to strike them from the case entirely. In defense of their love or hate of the three words, the sides have cited a gamut of arcane case law and other source material. Holtzman — who, as a US Congresswoman, voted to impeach Richard Nixon — is the author of "The Case For Impeaching Trump." Much of the case law being cited, the judge said, was not quite on point, including the bilge and thermometer decisions.

Prosecutors in Manhattan charged the company with being involved in a 15-year tax fraud scheme. Asked whether former President Donald Trump, who was running the business at the time, was aware of the scheme, McConney said Weisselberg told him that Trump knew about it. He said the payments system stopped after Trump was elected president and one of his tax advisers, Sheri Dillon, reviewed the company's business practices. On cross-examination by Trump company lawyer Susan Necheles, McConney painted Weisselberg as the lone bad actor, calling him a "micromanager" who had to sign off on all financial decisions. Weisselberg, who worked for Trump for decades and was indicted alongside the company last year, pleaded guilty to 15 felony charges in August.

Companies Trump Organization Inc FollowNov 10 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump was aware of allegedly illegal tax practices at his namesake real estate company, a senior executive indicated in testimony on Thursday during the Trump Organization's criminal trial on charges of tax fraud. McConney was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying, and remains employed by the Trump Organization. Asked whether he helped people evade tax, McConney said, "Evade is a very strong word. McConney said a former general counsel, Jason Greenblatt, received bonuses as non-employee compensation until 2011 when the company's accountant told McConney to stop. McConney also identified Trump's initials on a memo concerning the reduction of Trump Organization executive Matthew Calamari's salary by $72,000, reflecting rent for his apartment.

☆ Trump Org begins turning prosecution witnesses to their own advantage in 'politically motivated' tax-fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"I just felt this was politically motivated," McConney told jurors on Thursday of how prosecutors treated him before he decided to stop cooperating. Mazars severed ties with the Trump Organization in February after publicly questioning "discrepancies" in the Trump Organization's finances. Steinglass also elicited more testimony from McConney on what the prosecutor called a 2017 "clean up" of the company's books. "Nobody told me specifically," McConney said, "that this change was because Mr. Trump became President Trump. Prosecutors must prove that Trump's company was in on Weisselberg's admitted tax-fraud efforts.

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