Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s most senior CEO, pleads guilty to tax planning

In his own statement, Mr. Bragg emphasized that the plea was “directly linked to the Trump Organization in a series of criminal activities,” adding, “We look forward to proving our case.” in court against the Trump Organization.”

Addressing the benefits Weisselberg received, Mr. Bragg said: “Instead of paying fairly like others, Weisselberg asked the Trump Organization to provide him with a free apartment to rent, an expensive car, a school. private school fees for his grandchildren and new furniture. – all without paying the required taxes. “

His plea comes as several other investigations surround the former president in relation to his bid to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of sensitive documents after he left the White House. Last week, FBI agents searched his Florida home, a stunning move that underscores the extent of Mr. Trump’s legal danger.

In a statement, the Trump Organization called Mr Weisselberg “a fine and respectable man who, over the past four years, has been subjected to harassment, arrest and intimidation by law enforcement, particularly the law. Manhattan district attorney, on a never-ending quest, is politically motivated. to get President Trump. Weisselberg, the statement added, “in an effort to settle this matter behind his back and move on with his life, has decided that the best course of action – for himself and his family – is to plead guilty.”

Explaining the decision not to plead guilty to two Trump Organizations, Trump Corporation and Trump Payroll Corp, the statement said that “the simple reason is that they did nothing wrong”.

Mr. Trump is also the subject of a civil investigation being conducted by the New York state attorney general, Letitia James. That investigation focused on whether Trump fraudulently inflated the value of his hotels, golf clubs and other properties to obtain loans.