According to , the New York Times reported that the Trump Organization could face charges relating to fringe benefits it provided to its top executives such as the use of cars, apartments and school tuition.
Ron Fischetti, a Trump Organization lawyer, said that he met virtually for about 1 1/2 hours with prosecutors to try to persuade them to not seek a criminal conviction against the company. However, it was not surprising that they would.
“The charges against me are outrageous and unheard of, if they are ever filed.” He said that it was to get back at Donald Trump. “We are going to plead guilty and we will make a motion for dismissal.”
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
In the ongoing probe, no charges have been brought. Prosecutors are currently looking into Trump’s tax records and subpoenaing documents. They also interview witnesses including insiders.
According to law enforcement officials, the investigation is at a critical stage. A grand jury was recently appointed to weigh evidence. Letitia James, New York Attorney General, stated that she had assigned two of her attorneys to Vance to assist with the criminal investigation while she continued a civil investigation into Trump.
Allen Weisselberg, the long-serving chief financial officer of Trump Organization, has received some scrutiny.
Vance’s investigation into Weisselberg (73) was prompted in part by questions about his son’s use, including cars leased for the family, an apartment Trump provided at no cost and tuition payments to Weisselberg’s grandchildren.
Mary Mulligan, Weisselberg’s attorney, did not immediately return a message on Friday.
While it is not illegal for companies to offer lavish perks to employees who are valued, in many cases these benefits can be considered income taxable.
Fischetti stated that any charges against Fischetti based on fringe benefits would not be allowed by the prosecutors.
He said that he had not seen a case in which an employee was indicted for fringe benefit purposes over 100 years. He said that it would have to be done for the benefit and knowledge of the corporation in order to be considered a crime. They don’t even have the evidence.”
