New York prosecutors have given lawyers for President Trump a Monday deadline to explain why the Trump Organization should not face criminal charges over financial dealings, according to two sources quoted by The Washington Post.
The charges stem from a long-running investigation into the former president’s business dealings. They are related to fringe benefits the company gave to top executives, such as use of apartments, cars and school tuition.
In addition to fringe benefits, prosecutors have looked into whether the Trump Organization lied about the value of real estate holdings to lower taxes or obtain bank loans or insurance policies.
They have also looked into the company’s role in paying hush money to two women who say Trump had affairs with them. Trump has denied those accusations.
Prosecutors have been scrutinizing Trump’s tax records, subpoenaing documents and interviewing witnesses. Those include Trump insiders and company executives.
Some of the scrutiny has been focused on longtime Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.
Prosecutors investigated questions about his son’s use of a Trump apartment, cars leased for the family and tuition payments made to a school attended by Weisselberg’s grandchildren.
