Trump Organization found guilty on all charges in tax fraud trial: Live updates

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s investigation into former President Donald J. Trump and his family’s real estate business began more than three years ago. Here are some key moments:

August 21, 2018

gentlemen. Cohen, formerly Mr.’s personal lawyer and go-between. Trump pleaded guilty to federal crimes, and said in court, Mr. Trump directed him to arrange payments to the two women. The payments were made during the 2016 campaign to prevent the women from speaking out about what they said was an affair with Trump. trump card.

Shortly after Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opened an investigation to examine whether the payments violated New York state law. The office was quickly suspended at the request of federal prosecutors, who were investigating the same conduct.

August 2019

The District Attorney’s Office issued a subpoena to the Trump Organization.

Cyrus R. Vance Jr., then the Manhattan district attorney, reopened his own investigation after federal prosecutors said they had “effectively concluded” their investigation. Later this month, prosecutors in his office issued a subpoena to the Trump Organization and another to Trump. Trump’s accounting firm, which required Mr. Eight years. Trump’s personal and corporate tax returns.

September 19, 2019

gentlemen. Trump’s lawyers sued to protect his tax returns.

The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, has led to lengthy delays. The case argues that a criminal investigation against a sitting president cannot be pursued.

July 9, 2020

gentlemen. Vance won his first key victory at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The lawsuit eventually made its way to the Supreme Court after an appeals judge ruled against Mr. Trump, where the justices ruled that the presidency did not protect Mr. Trump. Trump is immune from criminal investigation, and he has no absolute right to block the release of his tax returns.

The ruling left Mr. Trump had the opportunity to present a different objection to Mr. Vance’s subpoena. Raising them, he did.

August March 2020

A document hints at a new focus for the investigation.

A court filing from the district attorney’s office indicates it has been investigating Mr. Possible bank and insurance fraud by Trump and his businesses — much wider than just hush money payments.

The filing cited a newspaper report that said the president may have illegally inflated the value of his fortune.

About a month later, sir. Trump tried a new approach to fighting his subpoena for tax returns, arguing in court that the request was politically motivated and represented an “illegal fishing expedition.”

Fall 2020

The investigation intensified.

Prosecutors interviewed employees of major banks and insurance companies serving Mr. Trump issued several new subpoenas.

The district attorney’s office also said in a separate court filing that it had cause to investigate the president’s tax fraud.

Credit…Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times

February 22, 2021

The Supreme Court denied Mr. Trump’s last-ditch effort to prevent his return from being released.

The brief unsigned order was a decisive defeat for Trump. A turning point in the investigation of Trump and Mr. Vance.

Hours later, eight years of financial records were handed to Mr. Vance’s office.

March 1, 2021

The focus of the investigation turned to a senior executive.

In the spring, sir. Vance’s prosecutors have set their sights on Alan H. Weisselberg, the longtime Trump Organization chief financial officer, in hopes of forcing him to cooperate with their investigation.

Of particular interest to prosecutors is whether the Trump Organization provided Trump with valuable benefits. Weisselberg as a form of tax-free compensation.

July 1, 2021

The Trump Organization is in charge of implementing a 15-year tax plan.

When Mr Weisselberg refused to betray his boss, prosecutors announced charges against him and Mr. Trump’s company said it helped its executives evade taxes by compensating authorities with benefits such as free cars and apartments.

Fall 2021

Prosecutors enter a critical phase of their investigation.

Investigators issued a new subpoena seeking information about Mr. Trump’s property and said they had refocused on the former president’s statements about the value of his property.

By December, Mr. Vance had authorized his prosecutors to begin presenting evidence about Mr. Trump submitted to a grand jury, a process that is likely to eventually lead to the indictment of the former president.

simple. January 2022

A new Manhattan District Attorney takes office.

gentlemen. After Vance left office, his chosen successor, Alvin L. Bragg, took over the case.

gentlemen. Former U.S. Attorney Bragg has retained two of its investigative leaders, veteran former U.S. Attorney and white-collar defense attorney Mark F. Pomerantz and Carey Dunne, Mr. Vance’s general counsel.

February 23, 2022

Two prosecutors resigned, casting doubt on the future of the investigation.

After Mr Bragg expressed reservations about the case. Pomeranz and Mr Dunn are suspended from giving evidence about Mr. Trump to a grand jury. They resigned a month later, sparking an uproar against Mr. Bragg decided not to prosecute.

In a resignation letter later obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Mr Pomerantz said. Trump has committed multiple felonies.

April 29, 2022

The grand jury expires.

The grand jury has been hearing evidence about Mr. Trump expires at the end of April. While Mr. Bragg’s investigation continues, there are indications that the former president will not face charges in Manhattan for the foreseeable future.

August 18, 2022

gentlemen. Weisselberg pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Trump Organization.

Although the CFO refuses to blame Mr. Trump himself, who agreed to testify in October at the trial of the company he has served for nearly half a century.

October February 24, 2022

Jury selection begins and the trial officially begins.

Lawyers from the district attorney’s office and the Trump Organization gathered in a Manhattan courtroom to begin interviewing jurors.

December May 2022

The case goes to a jury.

After five weeks of sitting quietly in court, a jury of New Yorkers took center stage as it considered whether the Trump Organization was guilty.

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