The legal difficulties facing the former U.S. President as he runs for the office again in 2024 have been made worse by the conviction of Donald Trump’s real estate company for participating in a 15-year-long criminal scheme to defraud tax authorities. The four-week trial heard testimony that Trump personally signed the bonus checks each year, paid for Weisselberg’s grandchildren’s private school tuition, approved the lease for his opulent Manhattan apartment, and approved a salary deduction for another executive.
Weisselberg, according to the Trump Organization’s legal team, orchestrated the scheme for his own gain rather than that of the business. Weisselberg stated in court that he expects to receive a further $500,000 bonus in January while he is currently on paid leave. Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty in August to concealing $1. 76 million in income from tax authorities, testified that although Trump signed checks involved, he did not conspire with him.
He said Trump’s two sons – who took over the company’s operations in 2017 – gave him a raise after they knew about his tax dodge scheme.
