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The Trump Organization's longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg may have been the key for prosecutors in securing a victory against the Trump Organization for tax fraud.
On Tuesday, a jury found two corporate entities of the Trump Organization guilty on all 17 counts of tax fraud, including conspiracy charges and falsifying business records.
The jurors delivered the verdict on the second day of deliberations, following a trial in which the Trump Organization was accused of a scheme by top executives to avoid paying personal income taxes on job perks.
Weisselberg admitted to concealing payments the Trump Organization made on his luxury apartment, car and other personal expenses in an effort to reduce his own taxes. According to Reuters, Weisselberg testified that he and other executives received bonus payments as if they were independent contractors.
Weisselberg testified for a promised five-month jail sentence, according to the Associated Press.
Former President Donald Trump has been an outspoken critic of this case, calling it a "witch hunt."
On Tuesday before the verdict was delivered, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, "Murder and Violent Crime is at an all time high in NYC, and the D.A.'s office has spent almost all of its time & money fighting a political Witch Hunt for D.C. against 'Trump' over Fringe Benefits, something that in the history of our Country, has never been so tried in Court before."
He continued, "Two weeks at trial, yet no MURDER CASE has gone to trial in 6 years, much to the consternation of victims mothers and families who are devastated that NOTHING is being done to bring JUSTICE. Too busy on 'Donald.'"
Trump and his family members were not charged in the case; however, prosecutors alleged Trump "knew exactly what was going on," according to the AP. Trump himself and his lawyers have denied that.
Dave Aronberg, state attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida, told Newsweek, "This is an embarrassment for the company and a $1.6 million fine, but I don't see any lasting repercussions from this unless the IRS opens a criminal investigation and pursues charges."
"The IRS has jurisdiction and can make things much more difficult for the former president and his company," Aronberg added.
Democratic Representative Adam Schiff of California took to Twitter after the verdict, saying, "Add tax fraud to the long list of Trump's accomplishments."
Add tax fraud to the long list of Trump’s accomplishments.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 6, 2022
New York Attorney General Letitia James also voiced her approval of the verdict, writing on Twitter, "Today's guilty verdict against the Trump Organization shows that we will hold individuals and organizations accountable when they violate our laws to line their pockets."
Today's guilty verdict against the Trump Organization shows that we will hold individuals and organizations accountable when they violate our laws to line their pockets.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) December 6, 2022
I commend @ManhattanDA for this big victory, and I am proud of the role that my office played in securing it.
"I commend [the Manhattan district attorney] for this big victory, and I am proud of the role that my office played in securing it," James added.
In September, James also announced a $250 million civil lawsuit against Trump over alleged lies regarding the value of his assets in order to get larger bank loans and lower tax bills.
Update 12/6/22, 6:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with a comment from Dave Aronberg.
About the writer
Anna Commander is a Newsweek Editor and writer based in Florida. Her focus is reporting on crime, weather and breaking ... Read more