Status: 03.07.2021 1:11 p.m.
–
–
–
At the center of the indictment against the Trump Organization is CFO Weisselberg. He is considered a loyal follower of the ex-US president, who regulated his deal in the background – keyword: hush money.
From Antje Passenheim,
ARD-Studio New York
–
–
–
The master and his henchman: “If you think George is tough – wait until you get to know everyone.” That’s what Donald Trump says about his new jury member on his show “The Apprentice”. Anyone who thinks their predecessor was tough should wait until they get to know Allen. The man in the background, the man for all occasions – this is how the author of the book “Trump Nation”, Tim O’Brien, describes him:
Allen Weisselberg worked hand in hand with Donald Trump for decades. They created all the papers that went out to the banks and the media to create this fairy tale – about who Trump was.
Antje Passenheim
ARD-Studio New York
–
–
–
–
–
That’s what he was good for, the accountant from Brooklyn. He had already done a good job for Trump’s father, Fred, the founder of the construction empire.
From accountant to close ally
Weisselberg worked his way up in the Trump Organization. The real estate shark trusted no one as much as he did, says Weisselberg’s former daughter-in-law Jennifer: “Allen Weisselberg doesn’t do anything alone. You talk about everything. Trump knows everything he does.”
Over time, job and private life should have become inseparable for the two, report ex-employees. Weisselberg and his wife raised their sons on Long Island. Then they moved to a Trump apartment in Manhattan – rent free. Son Barry worked for Trump’s ice rink in Central Park and DJed at his Christmas parties.
Send cars and tax fraud
Weisselberg got chic cars. And his employer paid the fees for his grandson’s private school. The tax fraud for which Weisselberg has now been charged is not a minor offense, says New York University law professor Daniel Shaviro: “Here someone went to his boss and said: Just pay me $ 5,000 less and give it to me afterwards in an envelope. ”
Trump bought his soldiers. When he became president, he knew his business was in good hands with his chief financial officer. Weisselberg is said to have handled the hush money number for Trump to cover up Trump’s alleged ex-affair with porn star Stormy Daniels. This is what Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen says: “The decisive signature is that of Allen Weisselberg.”
Allen Weisselberg (center) is considered a loyal ally of the former US president. (Photo from January 11, 2017).
Image: AFP
–
–
No statement against the boss – so far
The New York public prosecutor tried in vain to get Weisselberg to testify against his boss. But the current indictment could get things going, says author O’Brien.
His prognosis: Top people in the Trump Organization would now betray each other in order to get out of the matter as well as possible: “The Trump Organization is one in which there is no loyalty. Everyone knows: Trump saves his own skin first. Many those in the top positions will have goose bumps when they heard about the lawsuit. ”
Many now hope that the prosecution can persuade the Trump man to testify against him after all. Even ex-employees doubt that Weisselberg will hold out his head for the heavily indebted businessman for a long time. Others, however, do not believe that: Weisselberg is a so-called “Lifer” – one who has sworn lifelong loyalty to Trump.
Trump’s chief financial officer – who is Allen Weisselberg?
Antje Passenheim, ARD New York, 3.7.2021 00:06
–
–
–
