Engoron wants answers from Trump’s legal team by 5PM Wednesday
The civil fraud trial involving Donald Trump has taken a significant turn as
Judge Arthur Engoron seeks further information about Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former CFO, amid reports he’s negotiating a plea deal for perjury related to his trial testimony. Engoron’s request follows a New York Times article suggesting Weisselberg might admit to lying under oath during the trial in October. If proven false, this development could lead to the judge disregarding Weisselberg’s testimony.
The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump and his associates, including Weisselberg, of inflating Trump’s wealth on financial statements. Weisselberg’s potential perjury involves his claims about the valuation of Trump’s penthouse and his minimal concern for its size discrepancies. In addition to this civil lawsuit, Weisselberg has faced legal issues before, having served time for tax evasion and currently being on probation. This inquiry into his honesty is separate from another criminal case against Trump, highlighting the complex web of legal challenges surrounding Trump and his business empire.
The investigation into Weisselberg’s statements in the civil lawsuit is distinct from the criminal charges District Attorney Bragg filed against Trump last year, accusing him of manipulating company records to conceal hush money payments. The trial for those charges is set to start in late March.