Allen H. Weisselberg, a close associate of former President Donald J. Trump, has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to charges of perjury on Monday, according to sources familiar with the situation. Despite his long-standing loyalty to Mr. Trump, Weisselberg is not expected to incriminate his former boss, a move that has frustrated prosecutors who have been seeking his cooperation.
The charges stem from an investigation by the New York attorney general’s office into allegations of fraud by Mr. Trump. Specifically, the attorney general, Letitia James, accused Mr. Trump of inflating his net worth to secure loans and other benefits. The recent civil case resulted in a significant financial penalty imposed on Mr. Trump exceeding $450 million with interest.
Weisselberg, 76, is anticipated to admit to lying to investigators as part of his plea agreement with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg. This development comes just weeks before Mr. Trump is set to face unrelated criminal charges also brought forth by Mr. Bragg, related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star during the 2016 presidential campaign.
As the long-time CFO of the Trump family Business, Weisselberg has been a central figure in legal proceedings against Mr. Trump. His loyalty to the family led to a $2 million severance package when he left Mr. Trump’s company last year, coupled with an agreement not to cooperate with law enforcement unless legally compelled.
Weisselberg’s legal troubles escalated in 2022 when he pleaded guilty to tax fraud but agreed to testify against the Trump Organization, which was subsequently convicted. He served a five-month sentence with nearly 100 days served at Rikers Island jail.
This new plea agreement could result in additional time at Rikers for Weisselberg, though the exact charges he faces remain unclear. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump’s upcoming trial on felony charges related to falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniels hush-money deal could be impacted by Weisselberg’s guilty plea.
The ongoing legal battles have led to tensions between Mr. Trump and prosecutor Bragg, with Trump accusing Bragg of persecuting Weisselberg. The fallout from these cases is significant, with the potential to shape future trials and investigations involving Mr. Trump and his associates.
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