OSLO / NEW YORK (VG) The Trump Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg have been charged with 15 different offenses. – The political witch hunt continues, says Donald Trump.
Handcuffs: Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was handcuffed.
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Earlier Thursday, several U.S. media outlets reported, including The Wall Street Journal, that Donald Trump’s company and the firm’s CFO are charged in connection with a tax investigation.
On Thursday night, it is clear that the Trump Organization, and CFO Allen Weisselberg (73), have been prosecuted for 15 different offenses – including gross embezzlement, fraud, conspiracy, tax evasion and falsification of accounts. It reports several US media on Thursday.
Weisselberg was brought into the courtroom wearing handcuffs. According to the prosecution, he is responsible, among other things, for embezzling 1.7 million dollars, equivalent to around 15 million kroner, in taxes, writes the news agency Reuters.
The tax evasion is said to have been going on for more than 15 years. Weisselberg has worked for the Trump family for 48 years.
Does not admit guilt
The CFO does not admit guilt for any of the charges, reports the news agency AP. Former President Donald Trump was not even charged in this round.
“The political witch hunt from the left-wing radical Democrats, where New York is now taking over the task, continues,” Trump said according to Reuters.
There were several press people who had turned up outside the courthouse in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, local time.
Weisselberg walked out of the building with the lawyers, and hurried into a waiting car. Two of the lawyers from the Trump organization gave a short press conference outside the courthouse to the media present.
– These are just allegations. They have to prove these claims, said lawyer Alan Futerfas.
The organization says they are very optimistic and hopeful that the indictment will not have a significant impact on the company.
Investigated for over two years
The case is related to unreported benefits given to managers and other employees regarding possible use of apartments, cars and payment of school fees.
– He will fight against these accusations in court, his lawyers, Mary Mulligan and Bryan Skarlatos, said earlier Thursday.
The Attorney General’s Office in New York and Attorney General Cy Vance have been investigating the company, which is run by former US President Donald Trump, for more than two years. In May, the investigation was given the status of a criminal investigation.
Among other things, it has been investigated whether Trump has inflated the value of his companies in order to obtain favorable loan terms and stated a lower value of his properties in order to obtain lower taxes.
The former president has previously said that he believes the investigation against him is politically motivated.
The Trump Organization has said in a statement that Weisselberg is being used as a piece in a game to blacken the former president.
– This is not justice, this is politics, the company claims.
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