Donald Trump’s company and CFO Weisselberg expected to be charged tomorrow

Prosecutors in Manhattan are expected to charge former US president Donald Trump’s company and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, tomorrow for alleged tax-related crimes, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Charges will most likely be related to the Trump Organization and Weisselberg allegedly evading taxes on fringe benefits. They would be the first criminal charges against the Trump Organisation after an investigation was first opened three years ago.

Trump himself is not expected to be charged.

Defendants are expected make an appearance in a New York court on Thursday.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office and New York state attorney general’s office have for months been investigating if Weisselberg and other Trump Organisation employees illegally avoided taxes on perks received from the former president’s family business, such as cars, property and school fees.

Prosecutors had been using the investigation to pressure Weisselberg to cooperate with a larger inquiry into Trump and his business.

The New York attorney general’s office was separately investigating the Trump Organization in a civil capacity. Now, it is expected to press criminal charges along with lawyers from the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

If it is proven that Weisselberg and other Trump Organisation executives avoided paying taxes, prosecutors could also allege a scheme, leading to more serious charges.