Trump's already shrinking business faces a tough trial in court

Mr. Bragg’s tax lawsuit stems from an extensive investigation into the former president and whether he fraudulently inflated the value of assets to get lucrative deals from lenders and insurance companies. The district attorney’s office turned to Weisselberg, who was looking for insiders to testify against the former president. Weisselberg was a loyal lieutenant who began working for Mr. Trump’s father half a century ago and served as the company’s financial gatekeeper for decades. When he resisted their pressure campaign, the office indicted Weisselberg and the two companies for special benefits.

What you need to know about the Trump investigation

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Many inquiries. Former President Donald J. Trump has faced several investigations into his business dealings and political activism since he resigned. Here are some notable cases:

January 6th investigation. In a series of hearings, the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attacks laid out a comprehensive account of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This evidence could allow federal prosecutors conducting parallel criminal investigations to indict Trump.

Georgia election interference. Atlanta area district attorney Fani T. Willis has led a wide-ranging criminal investigation into Trump and his supporters’ efforts to reverse the 2020 election loss in Georgia. This case could pose the most immediate legal danger to the former president and his associates.

In a trial that is expected to last more than a month, lawyers for the Trump corporations will say Weisselberg was avoiding paying taxes on perks behind the Trump family’s backs and was not colluding with the company.

“Weisselberg’s actions were taken for his own benefit, not the benefit of the company, and he expects to prove it in court and be acquitted.” could argue that they saved money for the company and did not pay payroll taxes on benefits, but defense attorneys would be expected to argue that in reality the company lost money as a result of the arrangement. increase. )

Lawyers may also argue that Weisselberg agreed to testify under duress, noting that he could face years in prison. The plea bargain says he will serve five months in prison, but if he behaves well, he could only get 100 days in prison.

But if he lied on the witness stand, the judge overseeing the case could face up to 15 years in prison, according to his attorney, Nicholas A. Gravante Jr. (partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft). may be sentenced. He met with both the prosecutor and the company’s attorneys “to ensure that his testimony went smoothly.”

Weisselberg, who is currently on paid leave from his company, still refuses to cooperate with the extensive investigation into the former president.

Trump, who has not been accused of participating in the welfare system, has called the matter The “witch hunt” against him echoes the refrain he uses to capitalize on legal issues to cries for his political base.