The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s New York fraud trial might postpone the verdict upon learning that a Trump executive is prepared to confess to providing false testimony, a former federal prosecutor suggested.
Decision Postponed
Judge Arthur Engoron, who was anticipated to announce his decision by the end of January, has postponed the decision for at least a week.
Crucial Admission
The New York Times report on Thursday indicates that Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer for Trump, is in the process of negotiating a plea deal following his admission of providing misleading testimony before Judge Engoron. This development could profoundly impact Judge Engoron’s final decision.
Speculation on Delay
Attorney Andrew Weissmann, with two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor, suggested that Judge Engoron might be postponing the verdict in response to the Weisselberg revelation.
Judge Waiting for Outcome
Weissmann wrote on X, suggesting that the reason behind Judge Engoron’s delayed decision “could well be the news that the Trump chief financial officer may be pleading guilty to lying to Judge Engoron in a way that benefits Trump. The Judge may be waiting for this development to support his decision against [Trump].”
Plea Deal with DA
Weisselberg is reportedly negotiating a plea deal with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, headed by Alvin Bragg.
Combining Trump’s New York Trials
This potential agreement would combine Trump’s ongoing New York trials: one involving fraud related to inflated financial statements and the other concerning a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels.
Husy-Money Case
While the fraud trial falls under the jurisdiction of the state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, Bragg’s office has been conducting a separate investigation into Trump for alleged falsification of business records, particularly concerning a hush-money payment made during his 2016 campaign.
Business Records and Reimbursements
Bragg’s office has charged Trump with falsifying business records, as Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, and fixer, revealed that the reported “legal fees” on records were, in fact, reimbursements for a payment Cohen made on Trump’s behalf to the former adult film star Stormy Daniels. Weisselberg played a role in coordinating Cohen’s reimbursement, as confirmed by Cohen.
Potential Plea Deal
As part of a potential plea deal, Weisselberg may agree to plead guilty to perjury, a crime that could result in prison time. In return, he may avoid being called as a witness during the hush-money trial, which is scheduled to commence in March.
Discrediting Witness
Weisselberg has contested any involvement of Trump in the hush-money payment. Discrediting Weisselberg’s credibility as a potential witness, even if prosecutors ultimately do not call him to testify, could bolster their case.
AG’s Requests in Civil Fraud Trial
In the civil fraud trial, AG James has asked Judge Engoron to permanently bar Trump from the real estate industry, revoke his companies’ trading privileges, and impose fines totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Fraudulent Activities
In September, Engoron delivered a partial summary judgment in the case initiated by James, concluding that Trump and high-ranking executives of the Trump Organization had engaged in fraudulent activities.
Ruling on Asset Inflation
Engoron’s ruling stated that Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, had significantly inflated the worth of his assets to secure more favorable terms from lenders and insurers.
Decision on Damages and Charges
Engoron will decide the amount Trump must compensate in damages, as well as address six other charges. James is pursuing the recovery of $370 million in profits earned by Trump.
Trial and Delay
The trial, concluding on January 11, was expected to have a verdict by January 31. However, the delay continues without a new date set for the judgment as discussions around Weisselberg’s plea deal unfold.
Further Complications
Another factor possibly affecting the verdict’s timing is a report by Barbara Jones, a former federal judge, highlighting Trump’s failure to disclose over $40 million in payments to himself and the undervaluation of Trump building’s annual management costs by $1.6 million and an eight-month delay in disclosing company dissolutions.
Second Plea Deal
If Weisselberg pleads guilty to perjury, it would mark the second time the former Trump Organization executive has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
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