Trump Org CFO Weisselberg surrenders to authorities; charges against him and the org to follow

[HTacianas]

You’re right, they probably wouldn’t have to do much. Kinda puts lie to the excise given by the Republican commissioners, doesn’t it?

You don't seem to understand the situation. Michael Cohen was investigated by the FBI. The FEC had nothing to do with it. The FBI could have investigated Trump but didn't. The FEC had nothing to do with it. There was no investigation of Trump. The FEC had nothing to do with it.

 

[stevil]

But it's become another "oh boy here's somebody that will flip on Trump but there's never anything to flip about". See Paul Manfort. Cheated on his taxes. No dirt on Trump. Roger Stone. Lied to Congress. No dirt on Trump. Michael Cohen. Cheated on his taxes. No dirt on Trump. I'm seeing a pattern here.

The pattern is that those who sang, went to prison, those that stayed tight lipped got a presidential pardon or commutation.

 

[HTacianas]

The pattern is that those who sang, went to prison, those that stayed tight lipped got a presidential pardon or commutation.

If anyone "sang" there would have been something to sing about. Yet no one can seem to point to anything criminal coming out of it.

 

[wing2000]

Based on all the information available so far they have a hyper-technical interpretation of the law that will most likely result in nothing at all. At worst, it's grounds for an audit and maybe payment of back taxes and maybe even a penalty. But it's become another "oh boy here's somebody that will flip on Trump but there's never anything to flip about". See Paul Manfort. Cheated on his taxes. No dirt on Trump. Roger Stone. Lied to Congress. No dirt on Trump. Michael Cohen. Cheated on his taxes. No dirt on Trump. I'm seeing a pattern here.

I'm sure all of these individuals were breaking the law for their own benefit. <sarcasm>

 

[stevil]

If anyone "sang" there would have been something to sing about. Yet no one can seem to point to anything criminal coming out of it.

Are we currently talking about an indictment, which has possibly come about because of Cohen's testimony.

 

[HTacianas]

Are we currently talking about an indictment, which has possibly come about because of Cohen's testimony.

No. We are not.

 

[stevil]

No. We are not.

So Trump Org hasn't been charged for tax crimes?

 

[HTacianas]

So Trump Org hasn't been charged for tax crimes?

It has nothing to do with Cohen.

 

[stevil]

It has nothing to do with Cohen.

Why did they start looking at Trump Org taxes?
Is this that mythical Tax audit that was happening that stopped Trump disclosing his taxes?
Or was it because Cohen claimed Trump org overstated value of assets for getting bank loans and under stated for tax purposes?
Or something else?

 

[Whyayeman]

At worst, it's grounds for an audit and maybe payment of back taxes and maybe even a penalty.

Payment of back taxes is the least of it. These ar very large sums, way beyond writing a cheque for the balance owed. If the case is proven (innocent until proved guilty and all that) there will be a penalty all right.

The prosecution allege systematic tax evasion over the years 2005- 2014.

 

[HTacianas]

Why did they start looking at Trump Org taxes?
Is this that mythical Tax audit that was happening that stopped Trump disclosing his taxes?
Or was it because Cohen claimed Trump org overstated value of assets for getting bank loans and under stated for tax purposes?
Or something else?

It is a witch hunt. It demonstrates how out of control some politicians can get.

 

[HTacianas]

Payment of back taxes is the least of it. These ar very large sums, way beyond writing a cheque for the balance owed. If the case is proven (innocent until proved guilty and all that) there will be a penalty all right.

The prosecution allege systematic tax evasion over the years 2005- 2014.

They are not large sums. The prosecutor is purposely stating lengthy periods of time to inflate the numbers. If you looked at the books of any large corporation the amounts they are talking about are rounding errors.

 

[Whyayeman]

It is a witch hunt.

It is a criminal trial with evidence put before a court. There are lawyers for the prosecution and the defence. No doubt witnesses will be sworn to be truthful in their testimony.

Proper legal process is one of the jewels of American society, envied in many lands. I am dismayed that American justice can be smeared so casually.

For shame!

 

[iluvatar5150]

You don't seem to understand the situation. Michael Cohen was investigated by the FBI. The FEC had nothing to do with it. The FBI could have investigated Trump but didn't. The FEC had nothing to do with it. There was no investigation of Trump. The FEC had nothing to do with it.

No, I understand quite clearly that you’re making up dubious excuses to defend your Guilded Leader. The FEC is the agency that investigates campaign finance issues, like those apparently committed by Trump.

Mission and history - FEC.gov

 

[stevil]

It is a witch hunt. It demonstrates how out of control some politicians can get.

Which politicians have caused this indictment?

Is tax evasion a crime or only if it is done by people who aren't in Trump's elite circle?

 

[Whyayeman]

They are not large sums.

I dare say living in a luxury rent free house in a desirable part of New York with all bills paid is just a perk to some, no big deal.

The law does not take that view.

 

[HTacianas]

No, I understand quite clearly that you’re making up dubious excuses to defend your Guilded Leader. The FEC is the agency that investigates campaign finance issues, like those apparently committed by Trump.

Mission and history - FEC.gov

Okay. To clear all this up. What part did the FEC play in the prosecution of Michael Cohen?

 

[HTacianas]

Which politicians have caused this indictment?

Is tax evasion a crime or only if it is done by people who aren't in Trump's elite circle?

Cyrus Vance.

 

[HTacianas]

I dare say living in a luxury rent free house in a desirable part of New York with all bills paid is just a perk to some, no big deal.

The law does not take that view.

I lived in a corporate apartment in Pennsylvania for nearly a year. Never paid taxes on it.

 

[Whyayeman]

From the indictment document:

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 indirectemployee compensation from the Trump Organization in the approximate amount of $1.76 million.

Additionally, Weisselberg concealed for years the fact that he was a resident of New York City who was required to pay New York City income taxes. During the period of the scheme, Weisselberg thereby evaded approximately $556,385 in federal taxes, approximately $106,568 in state taxes, and approximately $238,159 in New York City taxes, and he falsely claimed and received approximately $94,902 in federal tax refunds and approximately $38,222 in state tax refunds, to which he was not entitled.

These are large sums, even to people like Weissenberg; otherwise, why bother?