Allen Howard Weisselberg (born c. 1947 or 1948) is an American businessman best known as the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of The Trump Organization, a business conglomerate owned by Donald Trump. He was a long-time and trusted employee within the organization, serving in various financial capacities for decades.
Biography and Career Weisselberg's career began with Fred Trump, Donald Trump's father, in the 1970s. He later transitioned to working directly for Donald Trump, rising through the ranks to become the CFO of The Trump Organization. In this role, he was responsible for managing the finances of Trump's vast real estate, hotel, and golf course empire. He was considered one of Trump's most loyal and knowledgeable executives, often described as having an intimate understanding of the company's financial operations and structure. His tenure as CFO extended for many years, making him a central figure in the company's financial dealings and strategic decisions.
Legal Issues In the early 2020s, Weisselberg became a key figure in legal investigations into The Trump Organization's financial practices.
- 2021 Indictment: In July 2021, Weisselberg and The Trump Organization were indicted by a New York grand jury on multiple felony charges, including tax fraud, grand larceny, and conspiracy. The indictment alleged that Weisselberg and the company engaged in a 15-year scheme to avoid taxes by compensating employees with "off the books" benefits such as apartments, luxury cars, and tuition payments, which were not reported as income.
- 2022 Plea Deal: In August 2022, Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 felony charges, admitting that he conspired with The Trump Organization to commit tax fraud. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to pay back taxes, penalties, and interest, totaling nearly $2 million, and to testify truthfully in the criminal trial against The Trump Organization.
- Sentencing: In January 2023, he was sentenced to five months in New York City's Rikers Island jail and a subsequent period of probation. He was released after serving approximately 100 days.
- 2023-2024 Civil Fraud Trial: Weisselberg also testified as a witness in a civil fraud trial brought by the New York Attorney General against Donald Trump and The Trump Organization, concerning allegations of fraudulently inflating asset values. In this trial, he again provided testimony regarding the financial practices of the company.
Weisselberg's legal troubles and subsequent testimony provided significant insight into the financial operations and alleged misconduct within The Trump Organization, making him a prominent figure in the legal scrutiny surrounding Donald Trump's businesses.