Jury Starts Deliberating , On Trump Organization's , Tax Fraud Trial. Al Jazeera reports that jurors have begun to deliberate in the Trump Organization's tax fraud trial after hearing four weeks of testimony and arguments. Al Jazeera reports that jurors have begun to deliberate in the Trump Organization's tax fraud trial after hearing four weeks of testimony and arguments. The trial revolves around executive pay practices at the former president's real estate company that prosecutors claim was part of a years-long criminal scheme. The trial revolves around executive pay practices at the former president's real estate company that prosecutors claim was part of a years-long criminal scheme. In 2021, Trump's company was charged with paying personal expenses for executives without reporting the payments as income. The charges also claim the company paid executives as if they were independent contractors. The Trump Organization's chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded guilty to the charges and testified against the company for the prosecution. The Trump Organization's chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded guilty to the charges and testified against the company for the prosecution. Al Jazeera reports that Trump, who was not charged in the case, has called the charges against his company politically motivated. If convicted, the Trump Organization faces up to $1.6 million in fines. Trump, who announced that he would be running for reelection in 2024, is facing a number of legal battles. . The Department of Justice is investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and his possession of classified documents. . The Department of Justice is investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and his possession of classified documents. . The state of Georgia is also investigating Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s company was convicted of tax fraud on Tuesday in a case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney, a significant repudiation of financial practices at the former president’s business.
The guilty verdict came on the second day of deliberations following a trial in which the Trump Organization was accused of being complicit in a scheme by top executives to avoid paying personal income taxes on job perks such as rent-free apartments and luxury cars.
The conviction is a validation for New York prosecutors, who have spent three years investigating the former president and his businesses, though the penalties aren’t expected to be severe enough to jeopardize the future of Trump’s company.
As punishment, the Trump Organization could be fined up to $1.6 million — a relatively small amount for a company of its size, though the conviction might make some of its future deals more complicated.
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Q&A: What's next for the Trump Organization?
What were Allen Weisselberg and the Trump Organization accused of doing?
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Federal authorities said Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's longtime chief financial officer, failed to pay taxes on more than $1.7 million worth of compensation.
Among those perks: The Trump Organization paid the rent on his Manhattan apartment, covered private school tuition for his grandchildren, leased Mercedes-Benz cars for him and his wife, gave him cash to hand out as holiday tips and paid for flat-screen TVs, carpeting, and furniture for his winter home in Florida. Weisselberg's son also didn't have to pay rent, or paid a below-market rent, while living in Trump-owned apartments.
Is Allen Weisselberg still the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization?
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Weisselberg is still employed by the Trump Organization, but his title was changed to senior adviser after the July 2021 indictment.
Why did Allen Weisselberg decide to take a plea deal?
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In the words of Weisselberg's lawyer, it was time to put an end to the yearslong "legal and personal nightmares it has caused for him and his family." The Trump Organization seemed to have no hard feelings, calling Weisselberg a "fine and honorable man" who has been "harassed, persecuted and threatened by law enforcement."
What are the terms of Allen Weisselberg's plea deal?
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A judge has agreed to sentence Weisselberg to five months at New York's infamous Rikers Island jail complex. With good behavior, he'll be eligible for release after little more than three months. He'll also have to pay nearly $2 million and spend five years on probation. Crucially, though, he must testify truthfully when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October. Weisselberg won't be formally sentenced until after the trial. Until then, he remains free on bail.
Will the Trump Organization also take a plea deal?
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In its statement, the company said it had done nothing wrong and would "look forward to having our day in court." Both Weisselberg and the Trump Organization initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, maintaining that the perks were standard for companies and the investigation was politically motivated. Weisselberg's agreement to testify, though, could substantially harm the company's defense. That could increase pressure for it to resolve the case without a trial.
What does the Trump organization actually do?
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It's a business entity through which Trump manages his many entrepreneurial affairs, including his investments in office towers, hotels and golf courses, his many marketing deals and his television pursuits. It runs golf clubs and hotels, collects checks from companies renting offices, and charges licensing fees to buildings and others for bearing the Trump name.
What does this mean for Donald Trump?
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It isn't clear. The Republican isn't charged in the case. Prosecutors haven't alleged any personal misconduct by Trump. If his company is convicted of a crime, though, it could lead to steep fines or complicate future business deals. A trial starting in October, right before the midterm elections, could also produce new revelations about the company's business practices — although Trump's supporters might not care. He's said the entire case is being cooked up by Democrats to damage him politically.
