A Manhattan jury has found two companies under the Trump Organization banner guilty on multiple charges of criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records.
The conviction was connected to a 15-year scheme by the Trump Corp. and Trump Payroll Corp. to defraud tax authorities by failing to report and pay taxes on compensation for top executives.
The two companies were found guilty on all charges—including to defraud in the first degree, conspiracy in the fourth degree, criminal tax fraud in the third and fourth degrees and falsifying business records in the first degree.
Neither former President Trump nor any members of his family were charged in the case. However, Trump was mentioned repeatedly during the trial by prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office about his connection to the benefits given to certain executives, including company-funded apartments, car leases and personal expenses.
But jurors did not buy the defense’s argument that any and all wrongdoing should be pinned on the company’s former Chief Financial Officer, Allen Weisselberg, who had pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution.
Trump, who last month announced he was running for reelection in 2024, has denied any wrongdoing and said he is being targeted because of politics.
The company now faces up to $1.6 million in fines.
