Trump Organisation CFO Allen Weisselberg appears in NY court in handcuffs accused of tax fraud
The TelegraphThe Trump Organization and its longtime chief financial officer on Thursday pleaded not guilty to tax evasion charges in a New York court, in a widening criminal case against Donald Trump’s business that could complicate his political future. The charges focus on whether Allen Weisselberg and other company executives received benefits and perks such as rent-free apartments, private school fees and cars, without reporting them properly on their tax returns. "This was a 15-year long tax fraud scheme involving off-the-books payments,” said Assistant District Attorney Carey Dunne, adding that Mr Weisselberg is accused of not paying taxes on $1.7 million in income. Dismissing accusations from the company that the charges were politically motivated, Mr Dunne told the judge that "politics has no role in the jury chamber and I can assure you it had no role here.” Court filings, public records and subpoenaed documents show that Mr Weisselberg, 73, and his son Barry have received benefits and gifts potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.