On Tuesday, a New York jury found the Trump Organization guilty of all charges in a 15-year tax fraud scheme that prosecutors alleged was orchestrated by top executives at the company. Jurors deliberated for just over a day before returning the guilty verdicts on a total of 17 counts, including scheme to defraud, conspiracy, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records. The company faces roughly $1.6 million in fines at sentencing.
The Trump Organization and its former longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were indicted last year after a multiyear investigation into the company’s financial practices by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Prosecutors alleged that two corporations that are a part of the company -- Trump Corp. and Trump Payroll Corp. -- paid executives including Weisselberg more by "cheating on their taxes” through a series of schemes that included off-the-books perks like luxury cars and free apartments.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday: “For 13 years the Trump Corporation and the Trump Payroll Corporation got away with a scheme that awarded high-level executives with lavish perks and compensation while intentionally concealing the benefits from the taxing authorities to avoid paying taxes ... Today’s verdict holds these Trump companies accountable for their long-running criminal scheme."
Trump, who was not charged, complained about the case on social media Tuesday morning. The former president said the district attorney's office had been "fighting a political Witch Hunt for D.C. against 'Trump.'"
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