NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: Former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg enters the courtroom in Manhattan Supreme Court on August 18, 2022 in New York City. Weisselberg has agreed to plead guilty to 15 felonies, admitting that he conspired with Mr. Trumps company to avoid paying taxes. (Photo by Curtis Means -Pool/Getty Images)

Former Trump Organization CFO Pleads Guilty to Multiple Tax Fraud Charges, Will Testify Against Company

Simone August 18, 2022 News Leave a comment

Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to carrying out a years-long tax fraud scheme that helped top officials in the Trump Organization avoid paying taxes for over a decade.

The 75-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to 15 felonies and admitted to concealing $1.7 million in income through “off the books” perks like private school tuition for his grandchildren, a Manhattan apartment and leases for two Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

As part of his plea deal, the former CFO agreed to testify against Donald Trump’s real estate company at trial. He’s also agreed to pay nearly $2 million in back taxes, interest and penalties.

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan said Weisselberg will be sentenced to five months at New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex and would be eligible for early release on good behavior. The judge also ordered Weisselberg to complete five years of probation following his release.

In June 2021, Weisselberg was charged in the scam where prosecutors say he conspired with his employer, the Trump Organization, to evade taxes through “off-the-books” benefits.

Trump himself is not charged in the case.