Former President Donald Trump‘s financial statements, used to inflate his wealth and obtain favorable terms from banks, included a large exaggeration about the size of his Manhattan penthouse. Trump claimed it was over 30,000 square feet, but evidence revealed it was actually under 11,000 square feet.
During a civil fraud trial in 2023, New York Attorney General Letitia James presented a 1994 document signed by Trump stating the true size of the penthouse. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former CFO, testified during the trial but later admitted to perjury and giving false testimony. He was sentenced to five months in prison.
Donald J Trump (Credits: CNN)
The guilty plea by Weisselberg prompted further scrutiny, leading to the discovery of a 2016 email exchange confirming the size of Trump’s penthouse. However, James and her team did not share this exchange during the trial. James has raised concerns about withheld evidence and has requested a forensic review of the Trump Organization’s electronic data.
Trump’s lawyers are contesting the request for a forensic review, arguing it exceeds the monitor’s authority. While Trump himself may not face new repercussions, his lawyers could be sanctioned if found to have withheld evidence.
Trump 2024 Campaign (Credits: Vox)
Former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance believes James wouldn’t pursue this fight without reason, suggesting there may be more to uncover. Weisselberg’s conviction for perjury also complicates Trump’s upcoming trial related to “hush payments” and falsified business records, as Weisselberg’s credibility as a defense witness is undermined.
Weisselberg’s personal lawyer indicated that his client accepts responsibility for his actions and looks forward to returning to his family and retirement after this experience.
