The former CFO of the Trump Organization pleaded guilty today to fraud and tax evasion and is expected to testify as a prosecution witness in a trial against his company. Donald Trumpwith whom he collaborated for almost half a century.

Allen Weiselberg, 75, pleaded guilty to all 15 charges brought against him in a Manhattan court. While he will testify about the company’s business practices as part of his plea deal, he is not expected to cooperate with Manhattan prosecutors in their broader investigation into the Trump family.

According to the report, Weiselberg pleaded guilty to fraud and tax evasion of $1.76 million in undeclared income between 2005 and 2021. Among other things, he allegedly concealed real estate and car rentals, tuition fees and vacation expenses. “Today, Allen Weiselberg admitted in court that he used his position in the Trump organization to defraud taxpayers and get rich,” U.S. Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.

His agreement with the authorities stipulates that he will serve only 5 months in prison and will have to return about $ 2 million to the state (taxes, interest and fines). Had he been brought to trial and found guilty, he could have been sentenced to 15 years.

Weiselberg stepped down as the company’s chief financial officer after the prosecution, but remains on Trump’s payroll as an advisor.

Until today, Weiselberg has steadfastly refused to testify against Trump himself. The criminal proceedings against the company will begin on 24 October. Another investigation, this time a civil one, but on the same charges of fraud and tax evasion, is being led by New York State Attorney General Leticia James. Last week, Donald Trump was called to testify under oath in this investigation, but he refused to answer questions, citing the 5th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows witnesses not to make statements that could incriminate them.

In a released statement, a spokeswoman for the Trump Organization called Weiselberg “an honest man” who “has been harassed, harassed and threatened by law enforcement, especially the Manhattan District Attorney, in their never-ending politically motivated investigation into his President Trump.” He confirmed that the company did not commit any wrongdoing and is awaiting trial in the case. Donald Trump is not a defendant in this lawsuit, but his company faces a fine or other sanctions.

Source: APE/MEB