WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - The Trump Organization and its Chief Financial Officer, Allen Weisselberg, were charged Thursday in what prosecutors said was a sweeping, 15-year scheme to compensate top executives of former President Donald Trump’s company “off the books” and help them avoid paying taxes.
The Trump Organization pleaded not guilty to charges that included tax fraud and falsifying business records. Weisselberg, 73, pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and tax fraud charges, among others, after prosecutors accused him of personally avoiding taxes on $1.7 million of his income, NBC News reported.
Weisselberg’s Attorney, Mary Mulligan, said before the hearing in a Manhattan court that he would fight the charges. The longtime Trump employee turned himself in early Thursday morning.
Trump, in a statement through his political PAC, criticized the charges as partisan.

Trump Says He’s Made
Decision on 2024
Former president Trump told Fox News that he has made a decision on whether he will run for president again in 2024.
“You are not going to answer, but I have to ask, where are you in the process,” Hannity said to Trump, regarding his decision on whether to mount another White House bid.
“Let me ask you this, without giving the answer, what the answer is, have you made up your mind?” Hannity added.
“Yes,” Trump responded.
Trump’s answer comes days after he held his first post-presidential rally in Ohio, where he talked about the “catastrophe” of the Biden administration.
Trump has been seen at the top of multiple polls for Republican contenders for the 2024 election, but would still have a crowded field to face if he chose to run.