Donald Trump won't be personally charged in the Manhattan district attorney's case against the former president's business organization when the first indictment comes down, his attorney claimed.
Trump, in a lengthy and rambling statement issued on Monday, called the DA's investigation 'a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt of all time' and claimed prosecutors 'failed' to find a crime even as 'millions of dollars of taxpayer funds wasted.'
His words came as an indictment against the business that made his fame and fortune, The Trump Organization, grows closer.
Ronald Fischetti, a New York attorney who represents Trump, told Politico that, at a meeting with Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance on Monday, he was told the DA's office will not bring charges against Trump himself when the first indictment arrives, which could be as soon as this week.
'They just said, 'When this indictment comes down, he won't be charged. Our investigation is ongoing,' he said.
Trump railed against the prosecution in his response.
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'They will do anything to stop the MAGA movement (and me),' the former president said. 'They also know that no matter how strong our case, they will work hard to embarrass us and the Republican Party.'
He claimed the prosecution of his business organization meant other companies would see it as a reason not to station their businesses in New York.
'Having politically motivated prosecutors, people who actually got elected because they will “get Donald Trump,” is a very dangerous thing for our Country. In the end, people will not stand for it. Remember, if they can do this to me, they can do it to anyone! Why would anyone bring their company to New York, or even stay in New York, knowing these Radical Left Democrats would willingly target their company if viewed as a political opponent? It is devastating for New York!,' Trump said.
He also claimed to be the victim after he saved the country from COVID.
'These Witch Hunters are relentlessly seeking to destroy a reputation of a President who has done a great job for this Country, including tax and regulation cuts, Border control, rebuilding the Military, and developing the vaccine in record time - thereby saving our Country, and far beyond. Washington, D.C. and ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court, should finally stop these vicious, angry, and highly partisan prosecutors. They are a disgrace to our Nation!,' he concluded.
Meanwhile, Fischetti said he was told the charges against the Trump Organization and its individual employees related to alleged failures to pay taxes on corporate benefits and perks.
They would not be related to so-called 'hush money' payments that former Trump attorney Michael Cohen said were made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
'Nothing. Not a word on that,' he said.
Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in October 2016, a month before the election, to stop her discussing the alleged affair with Trump, which Trump denied having. The New York Times reported that, in court documents, Cohen said Trump Organization officials were involved in the payoff. Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal charges on August 21, 2018, including a campaign finance violation, for his role in the payment.
Nor would the charges be related to concerns The Trump Organization used misleading valuations of its properties to deceive lenders.
'We asked, 'Is there anything else?' Fischetti told Politico. 'They said, 'No.'
'It's crazy that that's all they had,' he added.
He noted he expects charges to be filed against the company this week or next.
Prosecutors gave Trump’s attorneys a Monday afternoon to make their final case as to why the Trump Organization should not face criminal charges over its financial dealings, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
The charges will be in connection with fringe benefits the company awarded its chief financial officer, Allen H. Weisselberg, The New York Timesreported, citing several people with knowledge of the matter.
It would be the first criminal charges to emerge from Vance's long-running investigation into Trump's business work in New York.
Over the past few weeks, a grand jury has been hearing evidence about Weisselberg, with prosecutors obtaining the executive's personal tax returns. Companies can be tried for crimes, and if they are convicted or plead guilty, they would face fines and other penalties.
Letitia James, the New York State Attorney General running a civil probe, has also reportedly acquired those tax returns. James' office had been investigating whether Trump's company falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.
Earlier, prosecutors were also able to obtain the personal bank records of Weisselberg.
Investigators are looking at whether or not Weisselberg failed to pay taxes on benefits over the years, including apartments, leased cars and private school tuition for one of Weisselberg's grandchildren.
To that end, prosecutors have subpoenaed records from an Upper West Side private school, the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School.
Vance is reported to be seeking records into Mercedes-Benz vehicles leased for Weisselberg and other Trump Organization employees.
They are also looking at an apartment Trump may have gifted Weisselberg in Manhattan.
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