Why was the Trump Organization found guilty of tax fraud?

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The Trump Organization Was Found Guilty of Tax Fraud Due to a 13-Year Scheme Involving Falsified Business Records to Conceal Executive Compensation.

The Trump Organization and its related entity, Trump Payroll Corp, have been convicted on all counts of tax fraud. This conviction stems from a thirteen-year scheme, spanning from 2005 to 2021, where the companies allegedly falsified business records to conceal compensation provided to top executives. The Manhattan District Attorney's office prosecuted the case, asserting it was a matter of "greed and cheating."
Falsification of Business Records to Hide Executive Compensation

Jurors determined that the Trump Organization deliberately hid compensation paid to its highest-ranking employees between 2005 and 2021. This involved a systematic effort to manipulate business records, leading to the conviction on 17 counts. The prosecution argued that this was a deliberate strategy to evade taxes by not accurately reporting the full scope of executive remuneration.
Allen Weisselberg's Guilty Plea and Testimony

A key figure in the case was Allen Weisselberg, the longtime Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 counts of tax fraud and subsequently testified against his former employer as part of a plea agreement. He admitted to colluding with the company to receive undeclared benefits, including a rent-free apartment, luxury vehicles, and private school tuition for his grandchildren.
Scheme Involved Undeclared Benefits for Executives

Weisselberg's testimony detailed how he personally benefited from the scheme, receiving benefits such as a rent-free apartment in Manhattan and covering tuition for his grandchildren's education. These benefits were provided without being declared as income, thereby circumventing tax obligations. As part of his plea deal, Weisselberg agreed to pay nearly US$2 million in fines and penalties and serve a five-month jail sentence in exchange for his cooperation.

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Why was the Trump Organization found guilty of tax fraud?

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