Title: Allen Weisselberg Reportedly in Negotiations for Possible Plea Deal in Criminal Investigation
According to sources, Allen Weisselberg, the long-time financial chief of the Trump Organization, is currently engaged in negotiations for a potential plea deal. The negotiations are in connection with a perjury charge related to testimony he provided in the New York attorney general's civil fraud investigation and trial. It is important to note that these negotiations are still at an early stage, and there is no guarantee that a deal will be reached.
While Weisselberg is in talks with the Manhattan district attorney's office, known for prosecuting such cases, it is significant to emphasize that he is not expected to cooperate against former President Donald Trump, his former boss. The plea deal being discussed does not require him to testify against Trump in the upcoming criminal trial, scheduled to commence next month in New York.
The charges against Trump in this case allege that he falsified business records to conceal a payment made to the adult film star, Stormy Daniels, just ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges, and this trial could potentially be the first among the multiple cases that the former president is currently facing.
This potential plea deal would mark the second time that Weisselberg is pleading guilty, having previously pleaded guilty to tax charges. In that previous case, he provided testimony against certain Trump Organization entities, which ultimately resulted in convictions and monetary fines. While the specifics of the allegedly false testimony in question are unclear, the timing of these negotiations is notable considering the impending verdict in the New York attorney general's civil fraud investigation and trial, which is expected later this month.
Allen Weisselberg has served as a close associate of Donald Trump and has worked with him for four decades, holding a position of considerable influence within the Trump Organization. However, with the current negotiations, it appears that Weisselberg's role as a key witness in the upcoming criminal trial may be uncertain.
It is important to stress that the outcome of these negotiations and any potential plea deal remains uncertain. Ultimately, the decision rests in the hands of the parties involved, and it is yet to be seen whether Allen Weisselberg will ultimately reach an agreement with the Manhattan district attorney's office.