I'm in Manhattan criminal court this morning, where Donald Trump's personal ledger is now on a big screen for all to see.
A New York jury is now seeing how Trump paid for his CFO's grandchildren's expensive private school tuition as an untaxed corporate benefit.
A New York jury is now seeing how Trump paid for his CFO's grandchildren's expensive private school tuition as an untaxed corporate benefit.
One version of the ledger says "per Allen Weisselberg" next to a 2012 school payment.
However, the Trump Org turned over a version to the grand jury that doesn't say that.
Who deleted that? Prosecutor is now grilling the witness on the stand, Trump Org accountant Jeff McConney
However, the Trump Org turned over a version to the grand jury that doesn't say that.
Who deleted that? Prosecutor is now grilling the witness on the stand, Trump Org accountant Jeff McConney
Up next: a spreadsheet showing how full-time Trump Org employees got paid as "independent contractors" on the side.
Allen Weisselberg made an extra $300k his way in 2015, including $75k for work at Wollman Rink and $50k at Mar-a-Lago.
Prosecutor points out this make no sense.
Allen Weisselberg made an extra $300k his way in 2015, including $75k for work at Wollman Rink and $50k at Mar-a-Lago.
Prosecutor points out this make no sense.
McConney says his boss probably got paid this way—at Mar-a-Lago for instance—because he did some insurance-related work there.
Isn't that part of the CFO's regular job? After much prodding, McConney finally relents.
"Yes, it would be his normal job description," he grumbles.
Isn't that part of the CFO's regular job? After much prodding, McConney finally relents.
"Yes, it would be his normal job description," he grumbles.
Prosecutors establish how this is illegal.
McConney testimony: Trump Org top lawyer Jason Greenblatt no longer wanted to get paid as an independent contractor—b/c this game could kill his law license.
Greenblatt later became President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East.
McConney testimony: Trump Org top lawyer Jason Greenblatt no longer wanted to get paid as an independent contractor—b/c this game could kill his law license.
Greenblatt later became President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East.
Up next: Trump Org COO Matt Calamari is put under the microscope.
In 2012, Calamari told McConney to "reduce my payroll" $6k a month to pay for a company-owned apartment
Prosecutor: "Was this reported to the tax authorities?"
McConney: "No, sir."
In 2012, Calamari told McConney to "reduce my payroll" $6k a month to pay for a company-owned apartment
Prosecutor: "Was this reported to the tax authorities?"
McConney: "No, sir."
Asst District Atty Joshua Steinglass: "Mr. McConney, did you intentionally help people try to evade their income taxes?"
McConney: "I tried to help them in any way I could..."
There's a smirk under his white mustache.
"...with some suggestions."
He sighs. No further questions
McConney: "I tried to help them in any way I could..."
There's a smirk under his white mustache.
"...with some suggestions."
He sighs. No further questions
Trump Org defense lawyer, Susan Necheles, is now questioning him on the stand.
Right off the bat, the strategy is to make the company's accountant seem like a victim. McConney complains about feeling scared & intimidated when he was brought in to speak to grand jury last year.
Right off the bat, the strategy is to make the company's accountant seem like a victim. McConney complains about feeling scared & intimidated when he was brought in to speak to grand jury last year.
McConney says he felt "uncomfortable."
Talks about the prosecutor:
Questions were "suggestive."
"He was grandstanding.. being belligerent at times... threatened to search my apartment, getting kind of personal."
"I had a target on my back... this was politically motivated."
Talks about the prosecutor:
Questions were "suggestive."
"He was grandstanding.. being belligerent at times... threatened to search my apartment, getting kind of personal."
"I had a target on my back... this was politically motivated."
The defense lawyer Necheles is laying the groundwork to show that Allen Weisselberg was the boss & McConney was just a lowly accountant.
Her: "Administrative not managerial?"
Him: "That is correct."
You can see where this is going.
Her: "Administrative not managerial?"
Him: "That is correct."
You can see where this is going.
We're going through Trump Org emails where McConney had to ask his boss for approval on even small cash payments, like a $3,000 vendor expense.
Necheles is showing how Weisselberg was in charge. She's building up the importance of the CFO, who already pleaded guilty.
Necheles is showing how Weisselberg was in charge. She's building up the importance of the CFO, who already pleaded guilty.
As an aside, it's clear that Trump Org isn't the pot o'gold the former president makes it out to be.
In Jan 2013, Trump Hotels didn't even have enough cash to pay the $440,000 Deutsche Bank mortgage due that month.
McConney had to ask if Trump's own account could cover it.
In Jan 2013, Trump Hotels didn't even have enough cash to pay the $440,000 Deutsche Bank mortgage due that month.
McConney had to ask if Trump's own account could cover it.
All these documents marked as evidence by the Manhattan DA say, "FOIL EXEMPT / HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL"
Not anymore they're not!
Not anymore they're not!
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