NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) — Prosecutors are assessing a potential perjury charge against Allen Weisselberg, Donald Trump’s former corporate finance chief, in connection with testimony he gave in October at the ex-president’s New York civil trial.
Weisselberg, who had been CFO of The Trump Organization, testified for two days at the trial, answering questions about allegations that Trump lied regarding his weather.
It isn’t clear what part of Weisselberg’s testimony drew scrutiny from prosecutors at the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
A decision on charging Weisselberg does not appear imminent. Bragg’s office is in the preliminary stages of discussions, internally and with Weisselberg’s legal team, sources said.
News of a potential perjury charge was first reported by The New York Times. Messages seeking comment were left for Weisselberg’s lawyers. Bragg’s office declined comment.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, which filed the civil lawsuit, also declined comment.
Weisselberg served 100 days in jail last year for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in off-the-books compensation from The Trump Organization and is on probation.
A new charge, with the threat of more jail time, would upend the 76-year-old’s Florida retirement and could weigh on his allegiance to his former boss, who continues to pay his $2 million severance and legal bills.
The inquiry into the truthfulness of Weisselberg’s testimony in the civil lawsuit is separate from the criminal case that Bragg brought against Trump in 2023 over allegations that he falsified company records to hid hush-money payments. That trial is scheduled to begin in late March.
Follow NEWSnet on Facebook and X platform to get our headlines in your social feeds.
Copyright 2024 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Leave a Comment