Unveiling the Key Player in Trump's Troubles
Michael D'Antonio
Allen Weisselberg, Trump Organization's ex-CFO, has emerged as a pivotal figure in New York prosecutors' pursuit to uncover a rat's nest of financial misdeeds in Donald Trump's records, aiming to expose any possible criminal activities. Lately, Weisselberg has come under scrutiny as his own tax declarations became subject to investigation. This turn of events may make Weisselberg the individual Trump fears most globally. Trump issued a statement, labeling the investigations as corrupt, stating, "There's nothing more corrupt than a hunt for criminal activity." However, the seemingly paranoid rhetoric needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
To fully grasp the threat that Weisselberg poses, it's essential to understand his background. Weisselberg was initially hired as a private accountant by Fred Trump in 1973 and is now 73, only a year younger than Donald Trump. Under Fred's leadership, Donald and Alan Hand worked in tandem, with Donald serving as the public face of the business, while Weisselberg managed the internal affairs discreetly.
As Donald Trump Jr.'s empire expanded and gained notoriety, Weisselberg ascended to Chief Financial Officer and played a crucial role in setting up the approximately 500 firms that form the Trump Empire. He spent nearly 50 years working within the Trump Organization and, by all accounts, played a significant role in ventures spanning Miss Universe to Trump Casinos. He even oversaw Trump's personal finances in the past.
Weisselberg has previously been connected to a few controversies, such as the Trump Hotel dispute with SEC in 2002 and the 2018 closure of the Trump Foundation following a settlement with New York's Attorney General.
According to the New York Attorney General, the Trump Foundation was used to organize events that benefited Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. In addition, the foundation's funds were allegedly misused to support the campaign[1]. Trump himself was ordered to pay two million dollars to various charities to resolve the case.
The truth about Weisselberg's role remains to be seen. He has so far refrained from commenting on legal matters connected to him or Trump. Throughout his career, Weisselberg was known for his loyalty, with his former wife's sister once telling New Yorkers that Weisselberg held more affection and admiration for Donald than for his wife More.
Join our free weekly newsletter
- Subscribe to .
- Follow us on and
If Weisselberg decides to cooperate with the authorities, it could significantly impact Trump's defense. On the other hand, if Weisselberg faces legal troubles himself, he might feel compelled to break ties with Trump in order to protect himself and his family. So far, neither Weisselberg nor his ex-son-in-law Barry have been charged with any wrongdoing.
If Weisselberg follows the path taken by industry stalwarts like Wilson and Freeling, he could aid the authorities in understanding Inside the workings of the Trump Organization, potentially securing himself a place in the Accountants' Hall of Fame, irrespective of how the situation unfolds.
Further Reading
Weisselberg's trial could test his loyalty to Trump or shape his decision-making regarding his cooperation with the authorities.
Source:
Enrichment Data:
Allen Weisselberg served as the Trump Organization's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and played a significant role in various criminal investigations related to Donald Trump, especially in the context of the New York prosecution.
- Role in Hush Money Payments: Weisselberg was involved in the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. He handled the reimbursement plan regarding the payments made to Michael Cohen, Trump's former "fixer," which were used to cover up the alleged affairs with Trump. Weisselberg discussed the reimbursement plan with Cohen in Trump's office and managed the monthly payments, which were disguised as a retainer agreement[1][4].
- Witness Immunity: Weisselberg, along with other Trump Organization officials, received witness immunity in exchange for their testimony regarding the illegal payments. This immunity was part of the deal to avoid prosecution for their roles in the scheme[4].
- Potential Testimony: Discussions took place about calling Weisselberg to testify in the trial, but concerns arose regarding a non-disparagement clause in his severance agreement and the potential to invoke the Fifth Amendment. In the end, he was not called to testify, which raised questions about the completeness of the prosecution's case[1][5].
- Criminal Charges: Weisselberg himself faced criminal charges related to the Trump Organization's financial practices, including tax evasion and falsifying business records. He was barred from serving as an officer or director of any New York company for three years and was also banned for life from serving in a financial management role in any New York company[2][3].
Weisselberg's involvement highlights his crucial role in the financial matters of the Trump Organization and his potential as a key witness in the prosecution of Donald Trump.
