This trial unfolded at a certain point of complex legal peril for Trump and his business
Judge Juan Merchan instructed the jurors, before reaching any verdict, that this doesn’t mean that Trump’s company actually benefited from the scheme, even if there was clear evidence that it did. Weisselberg admitted that he knew taxes were owed on that compensation, but it was never reported.
Prosecutors even argued that by compensating some of the top executives in this fashion, the organization managed to save a significant amount of money. Unfortunately (or not), the trial seems to have unfolded at a very interesting moment of complex legal peril for Trump and his businesses, given that his attorneys are all playing the defense in the last weeks in three different New York City courtrooms.
Only last month, a judge asked Trump’s firm to accept an outside monitor, because of an ongoing $250 million civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. James’ lawsuit stated that Trump and his kids fraudulently modified the value of its real estate holdings for over a decade, deceiving all its lenders and cheating tax authorities.
James responded with the following statement: “We can’t have any tolerance for individuals or organizations that violate our laws just to line their pockets.” as she said. “I was very proud to assist in this case. The verdict will send a clear message that no one, and no organization, is above the law.”
Even so, it seems that Trump and his team of attorneys have pushed back, arguing that prosecutors in New York exceeded their authority, engaging in some sort of political witch hunt against former President Donald Trump.
Trump also deals with federal probes which involve his role in efforts to block the peaceful transfer of power, after losing his 2020 presidential election, and his infamous decision to “steal” those classified documents after leaving the White House. Only last month, the U.S. Justice Department chose a special counsel to oversee these investigations. Trump believes that the process was politically motivated.
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