NY Grand Jury Indicts Trump Organization

A New York grand jury handed over indictments against the Trump Organization and its CFO. The Trump Organization is a business group spanning around 500 business entities. Former President Donald Trump owns these family businesses.

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Indictments Against Trump Organization and CFO Weisselberg

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the New York Attorney General’s Office received indictments made by a New York grand jury. These indictments specified the Trump Organization and Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg.

The court expects to unseal these charges on Thursday afternoon in Manhattan. They also expect Weisselberg’s surrender Thursday morning. Once in custody, the court will arraign him in front of a state judge later that day. The Trump Organization will also get a similar indictment.

The charges against the group come from an alleged scheme to dodge taxes. It accuses the Trump Organization of paying salaries to officials through off-the-books means.

As early as this week, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s office will press charges.  Vance conducted a series of probes against the company for alleged financial improprieties. As a result, the DA alleges a number of criminal activities committed. This includes falsifying business records, insurance fraud, and tax fraud.

Case For Filing Thursday

Investigators spoke multiple times with Weisselberg’s former daughter-in-law Jennifer Weisselberg. Prosecutors also hope that Weisselberg will give testimony against Trump. He can choose to do so in exchange for leniency for his own charges.

Vance is trying to determine how Trump employees managed to avoid paying taxes. He thinks that instead of money, some officials receive benefits such as apartments.

In order to prove his allegations, Vance asked to obtain Trump's documents. This included personal records and corporate tax returns. Once he managed to secure the documents through a court order, his progress accelerated greatly. 

‘Completely Outrageous’

Last week, Ron Fischetti, attorney for the Trumps, called the impending charges “completely outrageous”. He said that the organization is feeling the heat because Weisselberg didn’t cooperate with investigators.

“They could not get him to cooperate because he would not say that Donald Trump had knowledge or any information that he may have been not deducting properly the use of cars or an apartment,” he explained.

Trump himself is not facing charges. However, the indictment will generate potential fines and additional legal problems for his company. However, the charges may cause further legal problems for the organization and bring about hefty fines.

Watch the CBS News video where former President Trump pans President Joe Biden's immigration policies during a trip to the southern border:

What do you think about the charges leveled against the Trump Organization and its CFO? Is this the start of a series of lawsuits against President Trump’s dealings?

Let us know what you think. Share your comments in the comments section below.