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Trump Organization CFO pleads guilty in tax case; agrees to testify

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By MICHAEL R. SISAK

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Just another person in Trump's orbit going to jail. Nothing to see here.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

In a low, somewhat hoarse voice, Weisselberg admitted taking in over $1.7 million worth of untaxed extras — including school tuition for his grandchildren, free rent for a Manhattan apartment and lease payments for a luxury car — and explicitly keeping some of the plums off the books.

Weisselberg and Trump Org should have been shutdown and jailed in the 80's like Leona Helmsley.

But what they have been doing is chump change and de rigueur for oligarchs worldwide, and most of the names in the Panama and Pandora Papers who get away with much more remain unprosecuted.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Gravante is a mob lawyer,he represents Trump and Weisselberg,total conflict of interest,and case for obstruction of justice

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"I only hire the best people."

19 ( +20 / -1 )

An interesting plea agreement to be sure. This is not the deal prosecutors usually go for. Usually a cooperator is all-in or on trial.

But I think there is a distinction without a difference here.

Yes, it’s true that this is a case against the organization and any penalties, although heavy (Trump org might get the “death penalty” in addition to fines and penalties and be forbidden from operating in the state of NY) are essentially monetary in nature.

However, Trump Org LLC. is really a fig leaf for Trump. It’s a sole proprietorship with fake gold leaf. For all practical purposes, the org is Trump and Trump is the org as he owns 99.5% of the stock. To implicate the organization is to implicate Trump.

And that, plus taking the 5th (just like mobsters do!) 450 times in a civil trial (where unlike criminal proceedings it can be used to infer liability) is why the civil case and the criminal case against his business could easily morph into a criminal case against him personally.

Fortunately, one of his attorneys was general counsel for a parking garage, so he’s got the whole lawyer thing covered.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

It’s not obstruction, Larry. It’s just dodgy as hell.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The rats know when the ship is sinking. They jump.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Yay!!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Incredible how everyone around Trump - including those who are explicitly following his direct instructions and orders - are uniformly corrupt and criminal. But our Great American Leader and President for Life Trump himself remains so pure and innocent.

At least, that’s the impression I get from reading the posts from the far right on here. And I’m sure they’re a reliable sort who always read the articles in links they provide.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Just hose him off and throw him in jail like the rest of them.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

And just to head off the inevitable deflection; 5 months in Rikers (100 days with time off for good behavior) even in special segregation (so that he won’t get passed around the cell block like a party favor) is not easy time for a pudgy 75 year old man from the Upper East/West side.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Gravante is a mob lawyer

His clients are large corporations. He specializes in business crimes, commercial litigation and anti-trust litigation. Mr. Gravante currently serves as counsel in pending matters to the former CEO of a major insurance company‚ to Starr International Company and C.V. Starr & Co.‚ both multi-billion dollar investment companies‚ and to the Andy Warhol Foundation. He also serves as lead national trial counsel for thousands of independent retail pharmacies in a federal antitrust case against major drug manufacturers. Other representative clients of Mr. Gravante's include Carnival Corporation‚ Calvin Klein Inc.‚ Tyco International and several leading hedge funds. Not saying his clients are honest, few in the upper echelons of business are, but none qualify as mobsters.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Just another person in Trump's orbit going to jail. Nothing to see here.

Yeah, 3 months is just a tormented fallout.

-20 ( +1 / -21 )

Incredible how everyone around Trump - including those who are explicitly following his direct instructions and orders - are uniformly corrupt and criminal.

Now just imagine if the Feds would look under the carpets in the Democrats household, the dust, mold and vermin they would find would be jaw dropping. The problem is, they’re just walking over the bodies as usual.

But our Great American Leader and President for Life Trump himself remains so pure and innocent.

He never claimed or implied that unlike this administration and their minions.

At least, that’s the impression I get from reading the posts from the far right on here.

Who the heck is far right on this site????

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Who the heck is far right on this site????

You, for one.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

You, for one.

Not even close.

-20 ( +1 / -21 )

Who the heck is far right on this site????

Not surprised your political metric is so off. With all the people you call "leftists".

Biden is a center-right neo-liberal.

Trmup supporters are an alt-right,far right nationalist mutation of the Republican Party.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Maybe someone will get him in Rikers.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Not surprised your political metric is so off. With all the people you call "leftists". 

I’m a conservative, but far-right? I wouldn’t pass these peoples litmus test.

Biden is a center-right neo-liberal. 

Biden is nowhere close to being near right on anything, absolutely nothing. Center-left to be as gracious as I can be

Trmup supporters are an alt-right,

No, we are all anti-Washington swamp establishment all the way.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

Yeah, 3 months is just a tormented fallout.

See, you support a ‘slap on the wrist’ when it’s someone on your side. Anyone on the other team and you’d be outraged.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Trump has his own swamp.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Weisselberg needs to either kick someone’s ass the first day or become someone’s b*tch. Then it will be ok.

Or follow the Andy Duphraine example and to all the guards' taxes.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A top executive at former President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to evading taxes on a free apartment and other perks, striking a deal with prosecutors that could make him a star witness against the company at a trial this fall.

And this is after he "pleaded the 5th" over 500 times - they must have really had the goods on him...

Allen Weisselberg, a senior Trump Organization adviser and formerly the company’s longtime chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to all 15 of the charges he faced in the case.

And remember, Eric pleaded the 5th 500 times when asked the same questions....he's likely too stupid to take a deal, but I image Ivanka and Jared will - more "rats" diming each other out....can't wait...

The plea bargain also requires Weisselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. 

Uh-oh, someone's "week from hell" just got even hotter....

I doubt if there's a clean wall without ketchup at Mar-A-Lago....ROFL...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

More than likely, this spells doom for Trump Org as a going concern. I think the odds of conviction at trial in October are a near certainty.

The penalties alone would be pretty severe. Being a felonious enterprise would cut the org off from most (legal) financing avenues, would most likely cause even more corporate tenants to move, and might very well result in the Trump org being banned from operating in NY State.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

See, you support a ‘slap on the wrist’

No, I just want the feds to equally go after all the Democrats who have done the same and worse, they can start with Lois Lerner. She didn’t even get a slap, she should’ve gotten more than just a slap.

when it’s someone on your side.

No, I just don’t believe in it too tear just a system

Anyone on the other team and you’d be outraged.

Like I said, I’m annoyed that we have one system for conservatives and another one for liberals.

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

No, I just don’t believe in it too tear just a system

I see.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I’m a conservative, but far-right? I wouldn’t pass these peoples litmus test.

You literally called Qanon cultists “sensible people”.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Trump fans have moved well beyond, "He's innocent!" to "He won't spend that much time in jail!"

11 ( +11 / -0 )

I bet there are many other Companies massaging the figures a bit. Perhaps they too should be chased down ?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Lol If and when Democrats commit crimes with the same frequency as Republicans,

No, if the Feds would investigate them, that’s the complaint.

It's not the FBI's fault

Yes, it is. After 7 years of faults and failures of them trying and failing to get this guy, no one believes this agency

Trump Republicans break the law so much.

If you look under one side of the house rooms, that might seem so, let’s open the other rooms in the dirty house and see.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

Trump fans have moved well beyond, "He's innocent!" to "He won't spend that much time in jail!"

What they really want to do is go the Nixon route and claim, “if the President does it, it can’t be illegal”.

But there’s an obvious problem with this approach: Donald Trump is no longer the President. Joe Biden is. And they’re trying to convince people that he is a criminal. But if anything the President does is legal, then nothing Biden does can be illegal, so he can’t be a criminal by their definition.

So they’ve moved on to the next obvious step for a personality cult: “if Donald Trump does it, it can’t be illegal”.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

No, I just don’t believe in it too tear just a system

The most sensible post I've seen from this poster all week...

Trump fans have moved well beyond, "He's innocent!" to "He won't spend that much time in jail!"

Both.

And the runner-up - because "he's innocent" and "he's guilty and will spend some time in jail" mean the same thing...

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Bass, any comments on Weisselberg and the appropriate punishment for grand larceny?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

No, if the Feds would investigate them, that’s the complaint.

Lol That's not how an investigation works. You don't start investigation based on the premise that if one side is charged with a crime, you must charge the other side with a crime as well. If there is a credible allegation of wrongdoing, by all means investigate it, but not because of the target's political affiliation.

Yes, it is. After 7 years of faults and failures of them trying and failing to get this guy, no one believes this agency

Lol nope. And they certainly haven't failed since the CFO has plead guilty.

If you look under one side of the house rooms, that might seem so, let’s open the other rooms in the dirty house and see.

Lol nope. Both the FBI and the Congressional committee investigated Hillary and they didn't find evidence of a crime. Keep trying.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

any comments on Weisselberg and the appropriate punishment for grand larceny?

Yeah, 3 months is just a tormented fallout.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Lol That's not how an investigation works.

It shouldn’t, but that’s what’s happening. Look, you don’t need to try and convince me, we all can see what the Feds have been and continue to do.

Lol nope. And they certainly haven't failed since the CFO has plead guilty. 

Well, looks like he did time served, no priors, so 15 months at the absolute worst level if even that.

Lol nope. Both the FBI and the Congressional committee investigated Hillary

No, they didn’t. No raid, no raid or arrest for destroying government properties, no charges for holding government documents out in the open in a friends restroom. She was subpoenaed to bring over documents and didn’t do so entirely and we can go on and on, but the fact of the matter remains is that, no one trusts the agency and under Bush, the Dems didn’t trust the Feds either. They thought Bush would weaponize the agency and never happened. 87K IRS agents?? Smh…

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

So we now know why Trump hid his tax returns. Just blank sheets.

3-5 months in Rikers for a 75-year-old millionaire will be hard.

Trump has a habit of canceling deals.

If Weisselberg fails to comply with the plea terms, prosecutors said they would seek a “significant state prison sentence," and Merchan warned that he could be subject to the maximum punishment for the top charge — grand larceny — of 15 years.

Allen Weisselberg, wealth $1 billion. How does an account earn that much?

https://moneyinc.com/allen-weisselberg-net-worth/

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I’d say 85-90% of those you call leftists wouldn’t pass a lefty litmus test either.

Now when it comes to the progressive and socialist ideology they’ll ace it with flying colors.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

He's looking at 5 ro 15 years if he breaks his plea bargain to testify against Trump Co.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Bass: Yeah, 3 months is just a tormented fallout.

I like your thinking.

Lock them up!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Well, looks like he did time served

lol no he didn’t

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Ohh, this can't be good for the Trump organization. When you have your CEO ready to testify against the organization for the feds, that's basically a death warrant for a company.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He's looking at 5 ro 15 years if he breaks his plea bargain to testify against Trump Co.

Depends on how he pleads, he wouldn’t be the first to be coerced into testifying

I like your thinking.

Lock them up!

Not a big them, a few weeks (if that) and then go home

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

An arrogant organization, led by an arrogant man, doing arrogant things. Lie, lie, lie. No surprises here, except for the sheep who blindly follow this very arrogant man.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Trump's tax is the real Big Lie.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Depends on how he pleads, he wouldn’t be the first to be coerced into testifying

He already plead guilty! I know you never read the articles but this time you didn’t even read the headline. Come on!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The criminal's house of cards keeps falling, and the trumpybelievers don't know what to do anymore, lol..

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Bass4funk: Depends on how he pleads

He pled guilty. It's only in the headline.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Depends on how he pleads, he wouldn’t be the first to be coerced into testifying

Allen Weisselberg, a senior Trump Organization adviser and formerly the company’s longtime chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to all 15 of the charges he faced in the case.

15 charges.

5 months in Rikers but stays out until he gives evidence.

The plea bargain also requires Weisselberg to testify truthfully as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges. 

Otherwise 15 years in Rikers.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

No, if the Feds would investigate them, that’s the complaint.

Trump cultists assume that because their man oozes criminality therefore his opponents must too.

The familiar, 'We do illegal stuff, so you must too' assumption to add to their victimhood status.

These people will make a fascinating case study in years to come.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He pled guilty. It's only in the headline.

Right, so let’s see what he will do to keep the jackals off his back, but not seem like a total fall guy for the Feds

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Allen Weisselberg, a senior Trump Organization adviser and formerly the company’s longtime chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to all 15 of the charges he faced in the case.

15 charges.

Yes, and?

5 months in Rikers but stays out until he gives evidence.

That ain’t…you know what, and in federal prison? Great food. Five months come and go so fast.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Yes, and?

And nothing. He's one of the elites, they don't pay penalties like the rest of us. He will never go to a real jail, nor pay a real penalty. The worst will be the loss to image his family faces, when the whole world looks at them knowing that he's a criminal. That's hardly a just punishment. But such is a society created by the elites - they wouldn't actually want one that held them accountable.

Are you just learning all this?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Bass: Let's see how he pleads.

Superlib: He ready pled guilty.

Bass: Right.

LOL

10 ( +11 / -1 )

see what he will do to keep the jackals off his back, but not seem like a total fall guy for the Feds

You realize this case has nothing to do with the “Feds”, right?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

bass4funk

10:56 am JST

5 months in Rikers but stays out until he gives evidence.

That ain’t…you know what, and in federal prison? Great food. Five months come and go so fast.

So why not offer to do it for him. It will be a great experience for you. You could try out the Halal too. When you get back you can inform everyone about your trip to Rikers.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Rikers Island is federal?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He could have had a deal where he didn't need to go to jail at all, but this is what he wants. What sort of deal did the man get from the other side that he is willing to go to live with New York's lower class criminals on Riker's Island for 100 days?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

That ain’t…you know what, and in federal prison? Great food. Five months come and go so fast.

Rikers is the NYC lockup, Einstein. And it is NOTORIOUS for being a violent, infested hell-hole where inmates routinely "do not continue breathing."

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What sort of deal did the man get from the other side that he is willing to go to live with New York's lower class criminals on Riker's Island for 100 days?

the best possible deal he could take under the circumstances :)

2 ( +3 / -1 )

bass4funk 

10:54 am JST

He pled guilty. It's only in the headline.

Right, so let’s see what he will do to keep the jackals off his back, but not seem like a total fall guy for the Feds

What does this case have to do with the FEDS? Wrong place, wrong time.

Looks like the New York Trump Tower will topple.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

bass4funk

Rikers Island is a 413.17-acre island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that contains New York City's main prison complex. Named after Abraham Rycken, who took possession of the island in 1664, the island was originally under 100 acres in size, but has since grown to more than 400 acres.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Maybe if we all pitched in and got him one of those "Trumpy Bear" things

They have an 'America First' edition for your delectation and delight. Hands are massively oversized. Made in China, naturally.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I hope he has fun.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hands are massively oversized. Made in China, naturally.

Of course it isn't compensating.....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence the 75-year-old executive to five months in New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex, although he will be eligible for release after little more than three months if he behaves behind bars

It's 5 months in Rikers and testifying against donald's criminal enterprise or spending 15 years at Rikers.

Weisselberg doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in prison and will choose the right option.

donald, on the other hand will either spend the rest of life in prison or in the poorhouse.

He's out of options!!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The comments will be coming soon as usual,the last call

4 ( +5 / -1 )

And nothing. He's one of the elites, they don't pay penalties like the rest of us. He will never go to a real jail, nor pay a real penalty. The worst will be the loss to image his family faces, when the whole world looks at them knowing that he's a criminal. That's hardly a just punishment. But such is a society created by the elites - they wouldn't actually want one that held them accountable.

Apply that same analogy for the Democrats next year

Are you just learning all this?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Cult 45ers have this idea that there’s a giant consolidated effort by libs, Dems, the left, the Feds, the deep state to sink Trump because they can’t stand his “conservative” ideology and his brilliant leadership skills.

Trump and his cronies are in various legal messes because they are crooked to the bone and always have been.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Cult 45ers have this idea that there’s a giant consolidated effort by libs, Dems, the left, the Feds, the deep state to sink Trump because they can’t stand his “conservative” ideology and his brilliant leadership skills.

there's not? the last 6 years of frenzied desperation to get Trump for something, anything, tells me otherwise.

As well as the advanced level of joy all these people feel when they think they finally "got" him.

Most investigated man in the history of the US, and still nothing. they would have gotten anyone else long ago if they bothered to investigate, the crimes are right in front of their face but they dont want those people unless they have connection to Trump. they gotta "get" Trump. at all costs. its their Moby Dick.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

—You realize this case has nothing to do with the “Feds”, right?

If you think so. Lol

Fact. This is a case brought by NY state, not the federal government or the FBI. It would be wise for you to remember this distinction.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Cult 45ers

Choose a better beer.

have this idea that there’s a giant consolidated effort by libs, Dems, the left, the Feds, the deep state to sink Trump

Of course we all know that, been knowing it. They even know it. A bit late there…

because they can’t stand his “conservative” ideology and his brilliant leadership skills. 

not to mention the fact that he wants to dismantle the swamp and establishment RINO’s and Democrats

Trump and his cronies are in various legal messes because they are crooked to the bone and always have been.

For seven years the Democrats have been trying to paint that picture and for some reason nothing sticking to the canvas

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Fact. This is a case brought by NY state, not the federal government or the FBI.

If you think so

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

This is a case brought by NY state, not the federal government or the FBI. It would be wise for you to remember this distinction.

aka future presidents cant pardon you for state crimes, only federal,

coming up next NY prosecutors rape investigation, Georgia grand jury incoming

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Fact. This is a case brought by NY state, not the federal government or the FBI.

If you think so

It's widely reported, even in your bubble. Federal convicts don't go to city jail.

Are you really this thick?

Is that why you usually cut and paste then add mono-syllabic questions? (Hint: You don't sound like Socrates)

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Most investigated man in the history of the US, and still nothing. 

did you see how Capone avoid prosecution for years, in the end they got him in tax evasion, his bookkeeper ratted on him. LOL

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I cannot help but notice how Don's loyal cult loves to parrot the "It's been so long" troupe but never happen to mention how it has been Trump and his merry band of morons who has engaged in a pattern of delay, fail to comply, fail to stand for interviews, fail to observe lawful subpoenas, been forced to testify under penalty of contempt, etc. etc. etc.

Delay and then say "This is old news" (It's not).

What fascinates me, especially with respect to 1/6 is that he somehow believes that the country is going to give up and move on without an accounting.

It's fascial to the point that one would question the sanity of anyone who postulates it. The idea that one would lose an election as he did, lie about it as he did, conspire to throw out the election as he did, and then conspire to incite a sedition to overthrow the legally elected government to over turn the results of an election he lost - as he did - and then think that he could just walk away without a reckoning....

It is the very definition of delusional.

There is no moving on without a reckoning. And Trump is going to face it sooner or later.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

So Weisselberg is going to the big house at Rikers. Have fun. 3 months there (even 1 month) is definitely no walk in the park.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

For seven years the Democrats have been trying to paint that picture and for some reason nothing sticking to the canvas

I'll see your Trump, and raise you a Hillary.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I cannot help but notice how Don's loyal cult loves to parrot the "It's been so long" troupe but never happen to mention how it has been Trump and his merry band of morons who has engaged in a pattern of delay, fail to comply, fail to stand for interviews, fail to observe lawful subpoenas, been forced to testify under penalty of contempt, etc. etc. etc. 

And yet, the left still have nothing on this guy.

Delay and then say "This is old news" (It's not). 

Maybe not, as far as unsuccessfully trying to take him down, that’s old news

What fascinates me, especially with respect to 1/6 is that he somehow believes that the country is going to give up and move on without an accounting. 

Most of the country has indeed moved on. Only the J6 Democrats and one jobless Cheney care. That Schiff show is coming to an end as well.

It is the very definition of delusional. 

Say the people that are obsessed with trying to nail Trump on the iron cross

There is no moving on without a reckoning. And Trump is going to face it sooner or later.

So will the Democrats.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

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