A jury in New York has convictedthe Trump Organization of criminal tax fraud in a major blow for the former president.
Although Donald Trump was not personally on trial, prosecutors insisted he was fully aware of the 15-year scheme in which they said executives were enriched by off-the-books perks to make up for lower salaries, reducing the company’s tax liabilities.
The 12-person jury in New York’s state court was sent out to deliberate on Monday morning after a six-week trial in which Trump Organization lawyers pinned blame for the fraud solely on the greed of longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.
The former close ally of Trump accepted a plea deal earlier this year admitting fraud in exchange for a five-month prison sentence. Prosecutors laid out a case heavily reliant on Weisselberg’s testimony.
The day ended with a bang with the conviction of former president Donald Trump’s business empire, the Trump Organization, being convicted on all counts in a criminal fraud trial in New York. Trump himself was never charged and former CFO Allen Weisselberg took the bullet. The parallel civil case in New York, in which Trump and his family are directly accused, continues.
This blog is closing now, but very shortly Guardian US is launching a brand new special politics liveblog to follow the culmination of the Georgia Senate run-off race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh is the reporter on this and will bring you all the developments as they happen tonight.
Here’s how the day went so far:
Manhattan district attorney Alvin Braggsaid that the fraud conviction against the Trump Organization exposed a criminal case that was all about “greed and cheating”.
New York state attorney general Letitia James tweeted about the criminal conviction and noted that her parallel civil case against the Trump family business show that “former presidents must be held to the same standards as everyday Americans”. Trump himself is accused.
The Trump Organization, the family business empire of former US president Donald Trump, was convicted on all 17 counts by jury in the company’s criminal trial in New York. Trump himself was not charged.
Law enforcement officers, receiving medals today for defending the US Capitol against the insurrection by extremist supporters of then-president Donald Trump on 6 January 2021, snubbed Senate and House Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy when they proffered their hands to shake.
The bipartisan House special committee investigating the Capitol attack is expected to make criminal referrals to the justice department soon. Panel chair Bennie Thompson indicated that decisions have been made on whom to blame.
It’s the last day of voting in the Georgia Senate run-off. Polls close shortly this evening and there could be a result tonight … stay tuned.
Here are some reactions from legal-watchers in the media.
NY jury CONVICTS Trump Organization on all counts. Two important takeaways: 1. this likely spells the end of Trump Org, and 2. this increases the odds of a NY prosecution of Trump himself, given that the prosecution argued “Evidence shows Trump 'explicitly' OK'd tax fraud.”
A reminder that Trump didn’t extricate himself from his business interests when he won the 2016 presidential election. See this thread.
The damage to his reputation is real—banks don't want to lend to companies convicted of felonies, insurers don't want to insure, etc. And it's not great for Trump's reputation as a businessman who knows what he's doing. https://t.co/pf6kdMVKjU
There is a parallel civil case ongoing against the Trump Organization via the office of the New York state attorney general, Letitia James.
She and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg are synchronizing tweets this afternoon, after the landmark criminal verdict in the DA’s criminal case.
Thank you to @NewYorkStateAG Letitia James and her senior staff for their continued partnership and collaboration on this important case. https://t.co/WGwlvbHTgP
Trump wasn’t personally charged in the criminal case but is squarely in the hot seat in the civil case, as are his three oldest children, Don Jr, Ivanka and Eric.
James’s $250 million lawsuit alleging fraud aims to result in a ban on Trump and his family being able to do further business in the state of New York.
The case is due to come to trial next October.
Attorney General of New York Letitia James speaks after winning her reelection during Governor Hochul's Election Night Watch Party in New York, New York, USA, 08 November 2022. Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA
The criminal case against the Trump Organization was started by the previous Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance and continued by his successor, Alvin Bragg.
Bragg said in a statement today:
In Manhattan, no corporation is above the law. For 13 years the Trump Corporation and the Trump Payroll Corporation got away with a scheme that awarded high-level executives with lavish perks and compensation while intentionally concealing the benefits from the taxing authorities to avoid paying taxes.
Today’s verdict holds these Trump companies accountable for their long-running criminal scheme, in addition to Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who has pled guilty, testified at trial and will now be sentenced to serve time in jail.”
“This was a case about greed and cheating."
Manhattan DA reacts to the Trump Organization's conviction on all counts of the indictment.
The original indictment against the former president’s business empire read: “Beginning from at least 2005 to on or about June 30, 2021, the defendants and others devised and operated a scheme to defraud federal, New York State, and New York City tax authorities.
“One of the largest individual beneficiaries of the defendants’ scheme was Allen Weisselberg. During the operation of the scheme, the defendants arranged for Weisselberg to receive in direct employee compensation from the Trump Organization in the approximate amount of $1.76 million.”
None of the Trumps was charged.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg smiles outside the courtroom after the jury found the Trump Organization guilty on all counts in a criminal tax fraud case this afternoon. Photograph: Julia Nikhinson/AP
The tax fraud case against Donald Trump’s business empire was brought by the Manhattan district attorney.
A jury found two corporate entities at the Trump Organization guilty on all 17 counts brought in this trial, including conspiracy charges and falsifying business records, the Associated Press reports.
The verdict came on the second day of deliberations following a trial in which the Trump Org was accused of being complicit in a scheme by top executives to avoid paying personal income taxes on job perks such as rent-free apartments and luxury cars.
The conviction is a validation for New York prosecutors, who have spent three years investigating the former president and his businesses, though the penalties aren’t expected to be severe enough to jeopardize the future of Trump’s company.
As punishment, the Trump Organization could be fined up to $1.6 million — a relatively small amount for a company of its size, though the conviction might make some of its future deals more complicated.
Trump, who recently announced he was running for president again, has said the case against his company was part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” waged against him by vindictive Democrats.
Trump himself was not on trial but prosecutors alleged he “knew exactly what was going on” with the scheme, though he and the company’s lawyers have denied that.
The case against the company was built largely around testimony from the Trump Organization’s former finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, who previously pleaded guilty to charges that he manipulated the company’s books and his own compensation package to illegally reduce his taxes.
Neither Donald Trump himself or any of his family members were charged.
Weisselberg took the stand having made a plea deal and attempted to take responsibility for the crimes.
The former CFO Allen Weisselberg returns to the courtroom after a lunch recess in November. Photograph: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images
This case is unrelated to the civil case brought against the Trump Organization by New York state attorney general Letitia James.
A jury in New York has convictedthe Trump Organization of criminal tax fraud in a major blow for the former president.
Although Donald Trump was not personally on trial, prosecutors insisted he was fully aware of the 15-year scheme in which they said executives were enriched by off-the-books perks to make up for lower salaries, reducing the company’s tax liabilities.
The 12-person jury in New York’s state court was sent out to deliberate on Monday morning after a six-week trial in which Trump Organization lawyers pinned blame for the fraud solely on the greed of longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.
The former close ally of Trump accepted a plea deal earlier this year admitting fraud in exchange for a five-month prison sentence. Prosecutors laid out a case heavily reliant on Weisselberg’s testimony.
McConnell criticized Donald Trump today about Trump’s previous calls to terminate the constitution.
Without mentioning Trump’s name, McConnell said that Trump would likely have a harder time winning the presidency for a second time.
From Politico:
Anyone seeking the presidency who thinks that the Constitution could somehow be suspended or not followed, it seems to me would have a very hard time being sworn in as the president of the United States.
McConnell would not directly answer questions if he would support Trump as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
Other Republicans have attempted to distance themselves from Trump following Trump’s comments about the constitution, Politico reported.
A former West Virginian politician that went to prison over his role in the Jan 6 attacks announced that he is running for Congress, reported Politico.
Derrick Evans announced his run for Congress on Tuesday:
After months of soul-searching, I am ready to step back into the political arena. Right now, my eyes are on Capitol Hill.
More from Politico:
A source familiar with the bid said Evans would explore running in the district currently held by Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.). The state’s other House seat is open, as Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) mounts a Senate bid against Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), but Miller has no plans for a similar bid.
Here’s video of McConnell answering questions as to why representatives of Capitol police would not shake his hand during the ceremony:
Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) dodges a question then walks away after being asked about Capitol police officers and their families refusing to shake his hand at a ceremony honoring them: "I'd respond by saying today we gave the gold medal to the heroes of Jan. 6." pic.twitter.com/X2FEqmwlZP
The Justice Department special counsel has issued its first known subpoenas in an investigation into Trump documents and Jan 6.
More from the Associated Press:
Special counsel Jack Smith has subpoenaed officials in Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona, asking for communications with or involving former President Donald Trump, his campaign aides and a list of allies involved in his efforts to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The requests, issued to Milwaukee and Dane counties in Wisconsin; Wayne County, Michigan; and Maricopa County, Arizona, are the first known subpoenas by Smith, who was named special counsel last month by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Smith is overseeing the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the violent storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump’s frantic efforts to remain in power. The subpoenas, first reported by The Washington Post, are the clearest indication yet that Smith’s work will include an examination of the fake electors that were part of Trump’s efforts to subvert the election count and certification.
More on the Congressional gold medal ceremony for officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan 6 attack.
Video from the ceremony shows representatives for those receiving the award shaking hands with Senator majority leader Chuck Schumer, but walking past Republicans Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy.
From C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman:
During Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Jan. 6 police, representatives of those receiving awards shake hands with Schumer then walk past McConnell and McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/YGjKXRGtiZ
Mike Fanone, a former police officer who was attacked by rioters during the Jan 6 attack, says he was heckled during the Congressional gold medal ceremony today.
From NBC News:
NEW: Members of the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Operations Division heckled former Officer Mike Fanone at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, Fanone tells me.
“They called me a piece of shit and mockingly called me a great fucking hero while clapping," he said.
Here are comments from Jean-Pierre from yesterday about Republicans criticism of Biden when it comes to the US-Mexico border .
From the Guardian’s David Smith:
Jean-Pierre on border: "What are congressional Republicans going to do to actually deal with this issue?.. Why don't they work with us? Why don't they actually do something?... They're playing political games and doing political stunts."
Joe Biden is now on his way to Arizona, where he will visit a semiconductor facility.
A gaggle is now taking place on Air Force One, led by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Listen here.
Biden is facing pushback from Republicans for his decision not to visit the US-Mexico border during this trip, with Biden telling a reporter from Fox News that “there are more important things going on.”
NEW: President Biden says he’ll be going to Arizona but tells our @pdoocy he won’t visit the border because “there are more important things going on…they’re going to invest billions of dollars in a new enterprise,” referring to a CHIPS plant he’ll be visiting in AZ. @FoxNews
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has renominated his leadership team, including a new position for Hawaii senator Brian Schatz to the newly created deputy conference secretary position, reported Politico.
From Politico:
According to text of the letter, Schumer will nominate:
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for Democratic whip
- Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) for chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for chair of the Steering Committee
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for vice chair of the conference
- Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for vice chair of the conference
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for chair of outreach
- Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) for vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) for Senate Democratic Conference secretary
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) for vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) for vice chair of outreach
- Schatz for deputy Democratic Conference secretary
More on McCarthy’s remarks at the Congressional gold medal ceremony.
From the Associated Press’ Farnoush Amiri:
GOP Leader McConnell taking more poignant approach to honoring Jan. 6 officers than McCarthy: “When an unhinged mob tried to come between the Congress and our constitutional duty, the Capitol Police fought to defend not just this institution, but our system of self government."
