NEW YORK – The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office unsealed charges Thursday against the Trump organization and its Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, marking the first criminal case against President Trump’s company.
Weisselberg, while surrendering to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, was seen escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs.
In court, prosecutors described a 15-year tax scheme and said the charges include 15 felony counts, involving a scheme to defraud, conspiracy, grand larceny and falsifying business records.
Prosecutors said that Weisselberg attempted to conceal his participation in the scheme with the knowledge of the company.
He is also charged with grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
New York’s Attorney General says the indictment is “an important marker in the ongoing criminal investigation.”
Weisselberg’s former daughter-in-law has been cooperating with investigators for months and providing evidence to them.
Trump organization lawyers have called it “unprecedented” and “outrageous” for a company to be indicted for failing to pay taxes on benefits.
Weisselberg was released Thursday on his own recognizance and told to turn in his passport.
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