Former Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, is currently in negotiations with the Manhattan District Attorney's office regarding potential perjury charges. This development follows Weisselberg's recent 100-day jail sentence for tax fraud. The perjury charges in question are related to Weisselberg's testimony during the civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump last year, raising concerns about the impact on the judge's verdict in the case.
Weisselberg's potential guilty plea to perjury would further complicate his already tarnished credibility as a key figure in Trump's life for the past four decades. However, it is important to note that despite his legal troubles, Weisselberg is not expected to cooperate with the district attorney's office in their ongoing investigation and trial of former President Trump. The investigation pertains to hush money payments and reimbursements, and Weisselberg himself is charged with falsifying business records. Trump, on the other hand, has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The potential plea deal with regards to perjury charges presents a quandary for both Weisselberg and Trump. If Weisselberg reaches a deal before the trial, he would be admitting to being a liar, which could undermine his credibility as a potential witness for Trump. This would certainly hinder Trump's defense strategy. It is worth noting that the trial's outcome heavily relies on the credibility of another admitted liar, Michael Cohen, who has previously pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. With Weisselberg potentially exiting the mix, it could benefit the district attorney's case while simultaneously posing a challenge for Trump's legal team.
In a separate matter, an update has emerged on the case involving a group of migrants who were arrested for assaulting two New York police officers last week. Shockingly, four out of the seven suspects have left the city on a bus bound for California, with speculation that they may be planning to flee to Mexico. Despite being released without bail, angering police unions and officers due to the bailable nature of the offense, the judge had made the decision not to hold them. Similarly, the district attorney did not request bail.
Upon their release, the suspects went to a Catholic charity that assists migrants, where they obtained bus tickets under false names for a journey via St. Louis to Calexico, which is adjacent to the Mexican border. Due to their release on their own recognizance, law enforcement authorities have no grounds to arrest them unless they fail to appear for their court date on March 13th. The likelihood of their return is dubious, given their attempts to conceal their identities and proximity to the Mexican border, which has sparked controversy regarding criminal justice reform and the impact on the assault against the police officers.
The situation underscores the complexity surrounding immigration issues in New York City, where a vast majority of hardworking migrants coexist with a small criminal element seeking illicit opportunities. The arrested individuals have extensive criminal histories, including charges of grand larceny, robbery, and attempted robbery. This particular crew operates on mopeds and scooters, engaging in organized retail theft and street snatchings. Some members have accumulated numerous charges within a short span since their arrival in the city, indicating an ongoing pattern of criminal behavior.
These developments shed light on the challenges faced in addressing immigration issues while simultaneously maintaining public safety and pursuing justice for victims of crime. The high influx of migrants, both law-abiding and criminal, necessitates a comprehensive and nuanced approach to ensure the security and well-being of communities.
