Attempt to harm ex-president: Trump Organisation denounces criminal charges

The Trump Organisation has denounced criminal charges against its chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg and termed it as as “a scorched earth attempt to harm the former president,” Donald Trump, reports AFP. “This is not justice. This is politics,” said a spokesperson for the company, in a statement carried by US media.

This comes after Trump Organisation CFO surrendered to the Manhattan district attorney’s office on Thursday morning. Weisselberg, along with the company is expected to face criminal charges over alleged tax crimes. According to NBC, Weisselberg intends to plead not guilty, said his lawyer. They will fight these charges in court, added his lawyer Mary Mulligan in a statement.

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Weisselberg has worked for the former US president Donald Trump since 1973. He will be charged at a lower Manhattan courthouse later Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Manhattan grand jury filed indictments. However, the nature and number of charges are presently unknown. 

The former US president faced several probes when he was in the office, however, this is the first time that his company is expected to face criminal charges. However, the former president himself will not be indicted, the media outlet reported quoting his attorney. 

District attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr conducted the probe over two after hush-money payments by Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen surfaced.

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The investigation by district attorney led unearthed possible violations by the Trump Organisation, including misleading lenders and tax frauds. Recently, Vance shifted his focus towards the company’s taxes on benefits and it led him to Weisselberg. If the CFO is indicted, it will pressure on him to cooperate with the authorities in their investigation against former president Donald Trump.