A defense attorney tried to convince jurors toward the end of a criminal trial against Donald Trump’s real estate company yesterday that the former US president knew nothing about a greedy former senior executive’s years of tax fraud.
USan Necheles, a representative of a branch of the Trump Organization, pointed the finger at Allen Weisselberg, the company’s longtime chief financial officer, in her closing argument before a 12-member jury in a New York state court in Manhattan.
“We’re here today for one reason and one reason only: Allen Weisselberg’s greed,” said Ms. Necheles. “The purpose of Mr. Weisselberg’s crimes was to benefit Mr. Weisselberg.”
Ms. Necheles also blamed Donald Bender, an external accountant at the Mazars USA firm, for turning a blind eye to Mr. Weisselberg’s misconduct instead of blowing the whistle. “President Trump relied on Mazars, he relied on Donald Bender as a watchdog,” Ms. Necheles said. “Bender failed.”
Prosecutors are expected to deliver their closing arguments today, with jury deliberations beginning Monday.
The Trump Organization was accused in July 2021 of paying personal expenses for some executives without reporting income, and compensating them as if they were independent contractors, in a 15-year scheme to defraud tax authorities.
If convicted on all nine charges, the company faces a fine of up to $1.6 million (€1.4 million). Mr Trump, who is seeking the presidency in 2024, has not been charged.
Mr Weisselberg pleaded guilty to tax fraud and other charges under a deal with prosecutors, and is expected to serve five months in prison.
The trial began on October 24 before Judge Juan Merchan. To prove the Trump Organization’s guilt, prosecutors must show that Mr. Weisselberg and other executives acted as the company’s “senior executive agents” when they committed tax fraud, and that they intended to harm the company in some way. to benefit.
Weisselberg has worked for the Trump family for about five decades and is now on paid leave.
He testified that he improperly received bonus payments as compensation for non-employees and hid several payments from the company for his rent, car lease and other personal expenses from the IRS.
Mr. Weisselberg’s testimony may have helped the defense.
He told jurors his greed motivated him to commit tax fraud, describing the company’s modest payroll tax savings as a “by-product”.
At one point, he choked in the stands as he described his shame about betraying the trust of the Trump family.
Ms Necheles told jurors: “The issue here is not whether the company saved some money as a by-product. His intention was to benefit himself, not the company.
Mr. Bender, who was granted immunity from prosecution, was the key defense witness.
He testified that he trusted Mr. Weisselberg to provide him with accurate financial information for the company’s tax returns, and was under no obligation to investigate further.