Weisselberg was taken into court in handcuffs and has pleaded not guilty.The Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance filed the charges along with New York Attorney General Letitia Jams. Both are Democrats. Former President Donald Trump said that their investigation was politically motivated.After Manhattan prosecutors spent over two years looking through financial records of the Trump Organization, they have been charged. A Supreme Court court battle was also won to obtain and examine eight years of Trump's tax returns.The indictment examines how Trump Organization provided fringe benefits and perks to some of its top executives.---------Original story:On Thursday, the Trump Organization accused the Manhattan District Attorneys Office that it used Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer of the company as a pawn to a political crusade targeting former President Donald Trump. However, the new indictment did not mention any particular allegations of wrongdoing.According to multiple news outlets, the statement by the Trump Organization was made shortly after Weisselberg surrendered early Thursday morning to authorities ahead of the expected charges against him as well as the family business of the former president.According to the Trump Organization, Weisselberg was a loving, devoted husband, father, and grandfather who is being used now by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in a scorched-earth attempt to harm former President.Vance will bring a criminal case against Vance for employee benefits. This is something that neither the IRS or any other District Attorney would consider bringing, Trump Organization said. This is not justice. It is politics.Mary Mulligan, Weisselberg's lawyer, stated in a statement that Weisselberg intends to plead no guilty and that she will fight the charges in court.New York's prosecutors will announce on Thursday the first criminal indictment in a two year investigation into Trump's business practices. They are accusing Weisselberg and his company of tax crimes related fringe benefits for employees.Weisselberg, accompanied by his lawyer, was seen entering the lower Manhattan courthouse at 6:20 a.m.According to two sources familiar with the matter, the charges against Weisselberg and Trump Organization remained sealed Wednesday night. However, they were expected to be revealed ahead of an afternoon arraignment at Manhattan's state court.People were not allowed to talk about ongoing investigations and they did so under the condition of anonymity.Trump was not charged in this stage of the investigation. Vance and Letitia James, New York Attorney General, were both Democrats.Trump didn't respond to questions from reporters about the New York case when he visited Texas Wednesday. However, Trump had earlier in the week blasted New York's prosecutors for being rude, nasty and completely biased. He also stated that his company's actions were a standard practice in the U.S. and not a crime.According to people familiar with the matter, the planned charges are linked to company benefits such as school tuition and apartments.The Manhattan District Attorneys Office declined to comment.Although the White House didn't comment directly on the indictments, Karine Jean-Pierre, deputy press secretary for Air Force One, told reporters on Thursday that President Joe Biden had made it clear that the wealthy Americans owed their fair share.Jean-Pierre stated, "Weve clearly seen the coverage for the past twelve hours or so." For any further comments, I will refer you to the parties. We are not going to comment on any case... at this time.Vance will be leaving office at the end the year. He has been conducting extensive investigations into various matters related to Trump and the Trump Organization.His office investigated hush money payments to Trumps women and truthfulness in company property valuations, tax assessments and other matters.Vance fought for Trump's tax records. He has been subpoenaing documents, interviewing executives of companies and other Trump insiders.After her office discovered evidence of criminal wrongdoing during a separate civil investigation into Trump, James appointed two lawyers from her own office to assist Vances team.Weisselberg (73) was under investigation partly because of questions about the use by his sons of a Trump apartment for little to no cost.Barry Weisselberg was the manager of a Trump-operated Central Park ice rink. He testified at a 2018 divorce hearing that Trump Parc East apartment had been a corporate apartment so there wasn't rent.Jen Weisselberg is Barry's ex-wife and has cooperated with both inquiries. She also provided investigators with a ream of tax records as well as other documents.The case against Allen Weisselberg, a loyal lieutenant of Trump and his father, the real estate-developer Fred, could allow prosecutors to pressure Fred into telling them all he knows about Trump's business dealings.Trump Organization is his business entity that manages his numerous entrepreneurial endeavors. This includes his investments in office towers and hotels, as well as his marketing deals and television pursuits.Donald Jr. and Eric Trump have managed the day-to-day operations of Trump's company since his election.Trump is unlikely to face charges on Thursday. However, the allegations against the company that bears his name raise doubts about his knowledge or involvement in illegal business practices.James Repetti is a Boston College Law School professor and tax lawyer. He said that a company such as the Trump Organization would have to withhold taxes on not only salary but also other forms of compensation, like rent or car use.Repetti stated that such perks would not be considered income tax if they were required by employment. Repetti also mentioned that an employee may be required to live in an apartment or use a car for business reasons.Leona Helmsley (a prominent New York City realty figure), was convicted of tax fraud in federal court. This occurred because her company paid to remodel her house without her reporting it as income.Trump Organization is being investigated for possible tax violations in New York.Repetti stated that the IRS regularly looks for misuse of fringe benefits in audits of closely held businesses. It is tempting for the business to claim a tax deduction while the recipient doesn't report it in income.Betsy Woodruff Swan, and The Associated Press contributed their expertise to this report.
