Former daughter-in-law of Trump Org officer has talked to New York prosecutors
One area prosecutors may be looking into is whether the appropriate taxes were paid on the apartments, people familiar with the matter said. Weisselberg was married to Barry for 14 years until they divorced in 2018. Barry Weisselberg worked for the Trump Organization for over a decade and was involved in managing two skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park.
“For me, when the government calls you, it’s your civic duty and there’s nothing wrong with telling the truth. It wasn’t really a choice; they called me,” Weisselberg said. “I’m happy to be as honest and transparent and just be forthcoming because I don’t have anything to hide.”
Prosecutors have cast a wide net and are examining whether the Trump Organization misled lenders and insurers about the value of certain properties, the legality of certain tax deductions, including consulting fees, and a conservation easement taken on a family estate known as Seven Springs, people familiar with the investigation say.
They are also examining a loan on a Chicago skyscraper and the reimbursement of payments to Michael Cohen, the former lawyer, who facilitated hush-money payments to women who alleged affairs with Trump, the people say. Trump has denied the affairs.
Leverage to pressure a top Trump lieutenant
Investigators have been asking questions about Weisselberg’s children in an effort to try to leverage and pressure the father to cooperate, people familiar with the matter say. It’s a common tactic used by prosecutors to try to get people to “flip” and build a case higher up the corporate ladder.
Financial investigations can be particularly difficult and prosecutors are often aided by the help of insiders. In addition to digging into any gifts Barry Weisselberg received, prosecutors are also asking questions about another son, Jack Weisselberg, who works at Ladder Capital, a firm that has loaned the Trump Organization more than $100 million, people familiar with the investigation said. Neither of the sons have been accused of any wrongdoing. Jack Weisselberg could not be reached for comment Friday.
Allen Weisselberg is a key figure in the Trump Organization and once acknowledged in a deposition that he is the “eyes and ears” for Trump from an economic standpoint. He is of interest to prosecutors because of his close working relationship with the former President. When Trump became president, he turned the day-to-day operations of the company to Weisselberg, along with Trump’s two adult sons. Weisselberg initially worked for Fred Trump, Donald’s father, and has been the top financial officer in the organization for decades.
An attorney for Weisselberg, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s office declined to comment. A lawyer for the Trump Organization could not be reached for comment, but the company has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Jennifer Weisselberg said James’ office reached out to her first in September of last year, and since then, she’s spoken with prosecutors at Vance’s office multiple times, all by video.
She said investigators came to her apartment and collected loads of documents,…
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