La Trump Organization, the main company headed by Donald Trump based in the famous Trump Tower in New York, and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were indicted on tax charges in an investigation into the company's alleged illegal activities. To decide for the indictment was a grand jury in Manhattan, i.e. a jury charged with determining whether the evidence collected is sufficient to initiate a criminal trial.
“Although former President Trump has faced multiple federal and state inquiries during his administration, the Manhattan District Attorney's indictment is the first to accuse his namesake company, the Trump Organization, for conduct that occurred when he was driving it,” underlines CNN.
According to the Manhattan district attorney, Trump's real estate empire has been operating a tax fraud scheme for 15 years to pay off the books Weisselberg, who in turn is accused of tax avoidance on his salaries for 1,7 million dollars. The allegations concern the so-called "fringe benefits" paid to the manager, or ancillary goods or services that add to the salary, on which taxes would not have been paid.
Weisselberg turned himself in to the district attorney's office on Thursday, July 1, saying through his attorney that he "will fight these charges in court." "Mr. Weisselberg intends to plead not guilty and will fight these charges in court," the full statement read. Meanwhile the company, through its spokesman, defends itself and its CFO: “Weisselberg is being used by the District Attorney of Manhattan as a pawn in an attempt to make scorched earth and damage the former president. The District Attorney is initiating a criminal case involving employee benefits that neither the IRS nor any other District Attorney would ever think of taking to court. This is not justice; this is politics,” a spokesperson for The Trump Organization said.
For the moment Donald Trump would not be directly involved in the indictments even if, according to what is written by the US media, the hope of the investigators is that Weisselberg collaborates with the investigators, revealing wrongdoings in exchange for reduced sentences.
(Last update: 10.42 on 2 July).
