On Tuesday, Donald Trump’s real estate company was found guilty of a 15-year-long tax fraud scheme, paying personal expenses for top executives in order to avoid taxes.
In August, former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, 75, pleaded guilty of concealing $1.76 million in income from tax authorities, but that Trump did not conspire with him.
The Trump Organization saved money by paying his rent, utilities, car leases and other personal expenses, instead of raising his salary which would be subject to taxation.
The company was found guilty on all charges, including scheming to defraud tax authorities, conspiracy and falsifying business records, it faces fines of up to $1.6 million.
The company’s lawyers argued that Weisselberg was a rogue employee who carried out the scheme to benefit himself and not the company. Trump was therefore not charged in the case.
