The ex-president himself is not part of the indictment, but his real estate company is.
(Photo: AP)
Former US President Donald Trump’s company was found guilty of tax fraud in New York on Tuesday. The Trump Organization had been accused of not taxing non-cash benefits for high-ranking managers, such as company cars and official apartments, for years. The company now faces a fine of up to $1.6 million — a relatively small amount for a company of its size, although the conviction could make future business difficult.
The jury found two Trump Organization companies guilty of all 17 counts, including charges of conspiracy and falsifying business records. The ex-president was not part of the indictment.
Turmp has described the trial as part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” instigated against him by vengeful Democrats. Neither Trump nor any of his children, who have worked as Trump Organization executives, have been charged with any wrongdoing. However, prosecutors said Trump knew about the tax fraud. The ex-president and the company’s lawyers denied this.
The case was centered on former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. He pleaded guilty to tampering with the company’s financial records to illegally suppress his taxes. He testified in court as a witness for the prosecution and in return received a reduced prison sentence of five months.
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In order to obtain a guilty verdict against the Trump Organization, prosecutors had to convince the jury that Weisselberg or his subordinate, Senior Vice President and Controller Jeffrey McConney, was acting on behalf of the company and that the company also benefited from the plan. The defense, on the other hand, repeatedly stated during the four-week process that Weisselberg had acted alone and only for his own benefit. The company cannot be held responsible for this.
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