‘This case is about greed and cheating’: Trump Organization tax trial begins as Weisselberg set to testify for prosecution
Mr Trump and his attorneys have described the case as a politically-motivated witch hunt, but in her opening statement, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told jurors it was anything but
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The only criminal trial to arise out of the years-long probe into former president Donald Trump’s eponymous real estate and licensing company kicked off on Monday with opening statements from prosecutors who said the case was not about the ex-president.
Last year, a New York grand jury indicted two subsidiaries of the Trump Organization after a two-year investigation into whether the ex-president’s companies violated New York State tax laws. The companies — as well as their then-chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg — were charged with multiple counts of fraud and other tax-related crimes for not reporting millions of dollars in perks paid to Weisselberg and others as income.
Mr Trump and his attorneys have described the case as a politically-motivated witch hunt, but in her opening statement, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told jurors it was anything but.
"This case is about greed and cheating, cheating on taxes," she said.
Ms Hoffinger and her colleagues will rely heavily on testimony from Weisselberg, who in August pleaded guilty to 15 separate violations of New York tax law as part of an agreement with prosecutors under which he will give evidence against his employer.
His testimony against the Trump companies could help Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors secure convictions against the company, which can result in massive fines and other collateral consequences that could bankrupt Mr Trump’s family business.
Last week, prosecutors told potential jurors in the case that Weisselberg remained on the Trump payroll and might be “reluctant” to respond to questions.
The criminal case against his companies is not the only legal peril being faced by Mr Trump or the Trump Organization.
Earlier this month, New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a separate civil lawsuit alleging that Mr Trump, his three eldest children, and his company fraudulently inflated his net worth by billions of dollars for a period of years in order to mislead banks into granting him loans on generously favourable terms.
With additional reporting by agencies
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments