Allen Weisselbergs History of Playing Dumb Probably Wont Save Him (or Trump) This Time – Vanity Fair

Yet while the gee shucks, Im just a country chief financial officer new to the big city schtick might have worked in the past, its not clear hell be able to rely on it again. For starters, as his former colleagueMichael Cohenhasput it, the idea that Weisselberg isnt keenly aware of every nickel that goes in and out of the Trump Organization is bullshit. Allen Weisselberg[knows] every single dollar in, and every single dollarnot even dollar, to the penny. Every single penny in and every penny out [goes] through Allen Weisselbergs desk, and then [is] reported, before and after, to Donald J. Trump,Cohen said in May. That sentiment is backed up by his former daughter-in-law (and Barrys ex-wife), Jennifer Weisselberg, who told the Daily Beast, of Weisselbergs bumbling accountant routine: Hes a liar. Allen is controlling. He has to know where every dollar goes. He cant handle not overseeing every dollar. And hes not going to sign something unless he knows what it says. He knows exactly whats going on. He doesnt want any loose ends.

And then, again, theres the idea that any of the criminal activity laid out by prosecutors could have gone down without Weisselbergs knowledge, which legal experts say there is not. I am optimistic hell be convicted. The law is fairly clear on what is income & what is taxable, former U.S. attorneyPreetBharararemarked after Weisselberg was charged. Hes a sophisticated executive; mistake is implausible. The company booked much of it as income. And juries hate rich tax cheats.

Also not to be discounted is the fact that, according to the Manhattan D.A.s office, Weisselberg literally kept spreadsheets of his and the Trump Organizations crimes. As theindictment helpfully points out:

For certain years, the Trump Organization maintained internal spreadsheets that tracked the amounts it paid for Weisselbergs rent, utility, and garage expenses. Simultaneously, the Trump Organization reduced the amount of direct compensation that Weisselberg received in the form of checks or direct deposits to account for the indirect compensation that he received in the form of payments of rent, utility bills, and garage expenses. The indirect compensation was not included on Weisselbergs W-2 forms or otherwise reported to federal, state, or local tax authorities, and no income taxes were withheld by the corporate defendants in connection with the indirect compensation.

So yeah, the idea that Weisselberg will be able to just play dumb on this one seems slightly to extremely implausible, likely upping the chances hes at least entertaining the idea of telling prosecutors everything he knows re: Trump. As former federal prosecutorCynthia AlksnetoldMSNBC shortly after the charges were unveiled, I think he will be a very hated defendant, Mr.Weisselberg, and Im sure his defense attorneys have told him so.

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Allen Weisselbergs History of Playing Dumb Probably Wont Save Him (or Trump) This Time - Vanity Fair