The offences carry a potential fine of $1.6mn, hardly an existential matter for the Trump Organization, which is estimated to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. But the verdict was «an important step» in holding the «organisation that is alter ego» accountable, said Cyrus Vance, who led the DA’s office at the time, adding it could pave the way for further convictions. The decision is the first in a flurry of cases and investigations that beset Trump since he left office. The New York attorney-general has brought a related civil case attempting to bar Trump entities from doing business in the state altogether. In addition, numerous authorities are investigating his conduct during and after his presidency.
«We were under some time constraints beyond our control,» he added, referring to a deadline at the end of April for the grand jury weighing the initial evidence, which pressed prosecutors to bring some charges. Reacting to the jury’s unanimous decision, Trump reiterated his claim that prosecutors were engaged in a politically motivated «witch-hunt» to destroy his re-election chances. He previously insinuated that the Manhattan investigation should not have taken priority over the murders and violent robberies that often preoccupy the district attorney’s office. « coming from Trump that this is a hit job, that this kind of crime usually goes undetected because it is so small,» said Rebecca Roiphe, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, now a professor at New York Law School.
Witnesses described a company run by a few close advisers who communicated via long lunches or handwritten notes and who, for decades, neglected to place the formal structures common for companies of that size. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and was a crucial witness in the case against his employers, revealed how the Trump businesses went through a «clean-up process» soon after their boss was elected to the White House.
It seems that the Trump Organization has a lot of things to hide and I do think that once he became president, they did clean a few things. $1,6 millions is pocket change for him but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't deny that Trump could and probably is involved in some shady doings, I wonder why all this is happening now when he is preparing his second run for the presidency? Could it be a coincidence and have some powerful people put some pressure on the DA to speed this up?
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right. Some powerful people have put pressure so this gets done quicker. Is that right? No. Should Trump pay for his wrongdoing? Yes. Will he be able to run again? Probably. Will he become president again? With what Biden is doing now, it looks likely.
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