Top Trump official caught committing crime, headed for prison

The Legal Breakdown with BTC & Glenn Kirschner
5 Mar 202411:48

TLDRAlan Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, has pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury, a result of a 15-year criminal scheme to defraud. Despite his repeated legal troubles, Weisselberg has declined to cooperate against Donald Trump. His sentencing to another five months in prison, followed by probation, is seen as relatively lenient. The implications for Trump are minimal, as Weisselberg's credibility is severely damaged, and he is unlikely to testify in Trump's upcoming Manhattan criminal trial.

Takeaways

  • 📜 Alan Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, has pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury.
  • 🚨 Weisselberg was previously involved in a 15-year criminal scheme to defraud, for which he served five months in prison.
  • 🗣️ During Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, Weisselberg lied on the witness stand to protect his boss.
  • 🔒 Weisselberg has declined to cooperate against Trump and is expected to serve another five months in prison.
  • 📉 The implications for Donald Trump are minimal, as Weisselberg will not be testifying against him.
  • 🤝 Weisselberg's loyalty to Trump is compared to a 'soldier's plea,' where he chooses not to implicate others in crimes.
  • 📈 The lenient sentence for Weisselberg's perjury charges is seen as unusual but not unheard of for white-collar criminals.
  • 🚨 Trump's upcoming Manhattan criminal trial, set to start on March 25th, is the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president.
  • 🔍 Weisselberg's name was mentioned in an investigation into hush money payments, but his credibility is severely damaged.
  • 🌟 Some individuals within Trump's orbit continue to support him despite the risks to their own reputations and freedom.

Q & A

  • What are the charges Alan Weisselberg pleaded guilty to?

    -Alan Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury.

  • What was the previous conviction of Alan Weisselberg related to?

    -Weisselberg was previously convicted for being part of a 15-year long criminal scheme to defraud in the first degree, in violation of New York laws.

  • How long did Weisselberg serve in prison for his previous conviction?

    -Weisselberg served five months in prison at Rikers for his previous conviction.

  • What did Weisselberg do after his release from prison?

    -After his release, Weisselberg lied on the witness stand in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York and lied to investigators.

  • What are the implications for Donald Trump from Weisselberg's latest plea?

    -The implications for Donald Trump are minimal as Weisselberg has declined to cooperate against his former boss, meaning he won't be a testifying witness in future cases.

  • What was the outcome of the Trump Organization's criminal trial?

    -The Trump Organization was convicted of 17 felonies for the same crimes that Weisselberg pleaded guilty to.

  • Why did Weisselberg receive a relatively lenient sentence for his perjury charges?

    -The lenient sentence might be due to Weisselberg's refusal to cooperate with prosecutors and his status as a repeat offender.

  • How does the concept of a 'soldier's plea' relate to Weisselberg's case?

    -A 'soldier's plea' refers to a situation where a defendant refuses to cooperate with authorities, even if it means a reduced sentence or probation, choosing loyalty over self-preservation.

  • What is the significance of Weisselberg's name appearing in the investigation into hush money payments?

    -Weisselberg's name appearing in the investigation suggests his involvement in the scheme to make hush money payments, which was part of the criminal activities being investigated.

  • Why might Weisselberg choose not to cooperate with prosecutors despite the potential for a reduced sentence?

    -Weisselberg might choose not to cooperate due to loyalty to Trump, fear of repercussions, or a belief that maintaining silence is the best course of action for him.

  • What is the upcoming criminal trial for Donald Trump?

    -The upcoming criminal trial for Donald Trump involves his attempt to interfere in the 2016 election by making hush money payments and committing 34 felony crimes of falsifying business records.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Alan Weisselberg's Legal Troubles

This paragraph discusses the legal implications of Alan Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, pleading guilty to two counts of perjury. It highlights his previous conviction for a 15-year criminal scheme to defraud and his subsequent prison time. The discussion also touches on Weisselberg's refusal to cooperate against Donald Trump, leading to a relatively minor sentence of another five months in prison. The paragraph also mentions the broader context of the Trump Organization's legal issues, including its conviction of 17 felonies and the upcoming criminal trial of Donald Trump in Manhattan.

05:01

🗣️ Weisselberg's Credibility and Cooperation

The second paragraph delves into the credibility of Alan Weisselberg as a witness, given his criminal history and perjury convictions. It explores the concept of a 'soldier's plea,' where an individual chooses not to cooperate with prosecutors despite the potential for reduced sentences. The paragraph also discusses the reluctance of lower-ranking members of criminal organizations to 'flip' on their bosses, using Weisselberg's case as an example. It reflects on the loyalty of individuals within Trump's orbit and their willingness to face legal consequences.

10:03

🌐 The Trump Orbit and Loyalty

This paragraph contemplates the loyalty of individuals within Donald Trump's circle, despite the legal and personal risks they face. It mentions specific cases of people like Jenna Ellis and Rudy Giuliani, who have faced legal and professional consequences for their association with Trump. The discussion suggests that the allure of power and proximity to a high-profile figure like Trump can lead people to make decisions that are detrimental to their own interests. The paragraph concludes with a commitment to stay informed about the ongoing legal developments involving Weisselberg, the Trump Organization, and Trump's upcoming trial.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Alan Weisenberg

Alan Weisenberg is the former Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization. He is a central figure in the video as he has pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury. His actions and subsequent legal consequences are discussed in detail, highlighting his loyalty to Donald Trump and his refusal to cooperate with prosecutors, which is a significant aspect of the legal narrative presented in the video.

💡Perjury

Perjury is the act of lying or making false statements under oath, which is a criminal offense. In the context of the video, Weisenberg's perjury charges stem from his lies during Donald Trump's civil fraud trial and to investigators. This term is crucial as it underscores the legal issues Weisenberg faces and the implications for the Trump Organization and its legal battles.

💡Rikers

Rikers is a prison complex in New York City, where Alan Weisenberg is mentioned to have served time previously and is expected to return for his recent convictions. The mention of Rikers serves as a tangible example of the consequences of Weisenberg's actions and the severity of the legal situation he is in.

💡Donald Trump

Donald Trump, a former President of the United States, is indirectly involved in the narrative as the former boss of Alan Weisenberg. The video discusses the implications of Weisenberg's legal troubles for Trump, particularly in relation to Trump's upcoming criminal trial in Manhattan. Trump's name is synonymous with the legal and political intrigue that forms the backdrop of the video's discussion.

💡Criminal Scheme

A criminal scheme refers to a plan or course of action intended to commit a crime. In the video, it is mentioned that Weisenberg was part of a 15-year-long criminal scheme to defraud, which is a significant element of the legal issues at hand. This term is used to describe the broader context of the fraudulent activities that the Trump Organization and its associates have been implicated in.

💡Probation

Probation is a period of supervision over an offender, ordered by a court instead of serving time in prison. The video mentions that Weisenberg will be on probation after his prison sentence, with the possibility of additional jail time if he violates the conditions. This term is relevant as it outlines the potential future legal consequences for Weisenberg and his path to rehabilitation or further legal trouble.

💡Soldier's Plea

A 'soldier's plea' is a term used to describe a situation where a defendant refuses to cooperate with prosecutors, even if it could reduce their sentence. In the video, it is suggested that Weisenberg has taken a soldier's plea, choosing loyalty to Trump over self-preservation. This concept is important as it reflects the loyalty dynamics within criminal organizations and the personal choices made by individuals involved in legal disputes.

💡Criminal Organization

A criminal organization is a group of people who come together to commit crimes. The video implies that the Trump Organization may be viewed as a criminal organization due to the fraudulent activities it has been implicated in. This term is significant as it frames the discussion around the legal and ethical issues at play within the organization and its associates.

💡White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes are non-violent crimes typically committed for financial gain, often by individuals of higher social and economic status. The video discusses these types of crimes in relation to the Trump Organization and its associates, highlighting the nature of the fraudulent activities they are accused of. This term is key to understanding the type of legal issues being addressed in the video.

💡Hush Money Payments

Hush money payments are illegal payments made to keep someone from revealing information that could be damaging. The video mentions these payments in the context of Donald Trump's attempt to interfere in the 2016 election. This term is relevant as it ties into the criminal charges against Trump and the broader narrative of political corruption and illegal activities.

💡Credibility

Credibility refers to the quality of being trusted or believed in. In the video, Weisenberg's credibility is discussed as being severely damaged due to his past actions, including pleading guilty to felonies and lying under oath. This term is important as it relates to Weisenberg's potential role as a witness in future legal proceedings and the overall trustworthiness of his testimony.

Highlights

Alan Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, has pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury.

Weisselberg was previously involved in a 15-year criminal scheme to defraud, violating New York laws.

He served five months in prison at Rikers for his previous crimes.

Weisselberg lied during Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York to protect his boss.

He also lied to Tish James investigators before the case.

Weisselberg has declined to cooperate against Donald Trump, leading to a 'soldier's plea'.

The implications for Donald Trump are minimal as Weisselberg won't testify against him.

Weisselberg is expected to return to Rikers for another five months, followed by probation.

If Weisselberg violates probation conditions, he faces up to seven additional years in prison.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg's plea deal with Weisselberg was seen as unusually generous.

The Trump Organization was convicted of 17 felonies related to the same crimes Weisselberg pleaded guilty to.

Weisselberg's name appeared in an investigation into hush money payments during the 2016 election.

Michael Cohen's audio recording implicated Weisselberg in the hush money scheme.

Weisselberg's credibility is severely damaged due to his past actions.

It's rare for lower-ranking members of a criminal organization to 'flip' on their boss.

Prosecutors sometimes take a hard line against witnesses who refuse to cooperate, even after conviction.

Some people are drawn to power and are willing to risk their own circumstances for proximity to it.

Individuals within Trump's orbit continue to put themselves at risk for their association with him.

The upcoming Manhattan criminal trial of Donald Trump, set to start on March 25th, will be the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president.