Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization and long-time associate of Donald Trump pleaded guilty to multiple tax fraud charges against him involving proceedings on the ground of the business dealings of the company.
The Judge presiding over the case said Weisselberg agreed on the terms of paying $ 2 million in taxes, interests, and penalties and to serve a five-month jail term on Rikers Island followed by five years of probation.
Weisselberg and Trump Organization were charged in June 2021 in what prosecutors described as an ‘off-the-book scheme over 15 years to help the top officials in the Trump Organization avoid paying taxes. Moreover, Weisselberg was accused of not paying $ 1.7 million as taxes on his income.
Weisselberg was well aware of the repercussions of facing a jail term of up to 15 years if he doesn’t comply with the established framework of paying the tax or doesn’t testify truthfully which he admitted inside the court during the trial of the Trump Organization.
Weisselberg’s attorney Nicholas Gravante Jr said in a statement, that “Weisselberg pleaded guilty to put an end to this case and the years-long legal and personal nightmares it has caused for him and his family.
Rather than risk the possibility of 15 years in prison, he has agreed to serve 100 days. We are glad to have this behind him.” During the trial of the proceedings, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg observed that Weisselberg used his position at the company “to bilk taxpayers and enrich himself.”
Attorney Bragg went on to say “Instead of paying his fair share like everyone else, Weisselberg had the Trump Organization provide him with a rent-free apartment, expensive cars, private school tuition for his grandchildren, and new furniture — all without paying required taxes,” Bragg said.
The Trump Organization is facing separate charges apart from the existing matter, however, there is no allegation against former President Donald Trump of criminal wrongdoing, who has faced long-simmering investigations on multiple phases and has captured national attention since the FBI launched a raid on Trump’s Florida estate last week.
Weisselberg won’t be assisting Trump in any form of investigation done on the latter. The court also informed the investigation into the matter pertaining to Trump is underway.