Former Trump Organization CFO in Plea Talks with Manhattan DA
Allen Weisselberg, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, is currently engaged in plea negotiations with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. These talks aim to resolve a potential perjury charge against Weisselberg, who is accused of lying on the witness stand during a civil fraud trial involving former President Donald Trump and others.
Details of the Plea Negotiations
Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that if the negotiations are successful, Weisselberg would plead guilty to the perjury charge. His alleged false testimony took place in October during the aforementioned fraud trial, where he struggled to explain discrepancies regarding the size of Trump’s 5th Ave. triplex.
Early Stages of Negotiation
The plea negotiations are still in the early stages, as first reported by The New York Times. Both the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and Weisselberg’s attorney have declined to comment on the matter.
Image: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Apartment Size Controversy
During his testimony, Weisselberg downplayed the significance of the size discrepancy between Trump’s triplex and the statements of financial condition. However, Forbes published an article challenging Weisselberg’s credibility and accused him of lying under oath. The article suggested that Weisselberg played a crucial role in convincing the magazine that the apartment was larger than it actually was.
Incriminating Evidence
At the trial, Weisselberg was confronted with emails from Forbes magazine and a letter he had signed certifying the exaggerated square footage. Ultimately, he conceded that the triplex was indeed smaller than previously claimed.
Potential Second Criminal Conviction
If Weisselberg pleads guilty to the perjury charge, it would be his second criminal conviction. He had previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges and testified against the Trump Organization, which was convicted of tax evasion in 2022. However, Weisselberg’s testimony did not implicate Trump, and he is not expected to be called as a witness in the Manhattan DA’s criminal case against Trump.
Trump’s Pending Verdict
Meanwhile, Donald Trump awaits a verdict in a $370 million civil fraud trial that could have significant implications for his personal fortune and real estate empire. The trial, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump and other top Trump Organization executives of engaging in fraudulent practices to inflate Trump’s net worth for favorable loan terms.
Denial of Wrongdoing
Throughout these legal proceedings, Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Read More of this Story at abcnews.go.com – 2024-02-01 22:36:32
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