Trump Organisation’s lawyers made the last pitch against the prosecution on Monday to prevent a likely indictment arising from a long-running investigation into the former president’s company.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Lawyers for Trump organisation met with prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as a grand jury nears a vote on an indictment this week.
Trump Organization lawyer, Ron Fischetti said prosecutors have informed him that Trump himself will not be charged at this time, “at least not with what’s coming down this week”, but added the investigation is ongoing.
“There is no indictment coming down this week against the former president,” Fischetti said on Monday.
“I can’t say he’s out of the woods yet completely.”
Gatekeepers News reports that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. has been investigating the former President’s business affairs for more than two years.
Recently, investigators have concentrated on fringe benefits the company gave to top executives, such as the use of apartments, cars and school tuition.
Investigators have scrutinised the former President’s tax records, subpoenaed documents and interviewed witnesses, including Trump insiders and company executives.
Fischetti, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, said the gathering had been arranged “for the Trump Organization — not Donald Trump himself.”
“We’re just waiting,” Fischetti said, adding he expects to know this week whether charges will be brought.
According to him, the prospective charges this week “are limited to a couple of Trump Org employees who didn’t declare taxes on fringe benefits” they received.
He added that the company itself also could be charged.
Prosecutors have also looked into whether the Trump Organization lied about the value of real estate holdings to lower taxes or to obtain bank loans or insurance policies on favourable terms.
In addition, they have looked into the company’s role in paying hush money to two women who say Trump had affairs with them, accusations the former President has denied.
