Trump Organisation bracing for criminal charges in New York this week

New York prosecutors investigating former US president Donald Trump’s business practices were likely to issue one or more criminal indictments this week – but not against Trump himself, according to people involved in the case.

Ronald Fischetti, a lawyer representing Trump, said on Monday that based on discussions with prosecutors he expects “no charges” will be brought against Trump in the initial round of indictments. Others familiar with the case said prosecutors were preparing criminal charges against Allen Weisselberg, long-time chief financial officer for the Trump Organisation, and also were considering criminal charges against the company.

After an almost three-year investigation of Trump’s property dealings, the initial charges by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jnr will focus mainly on whether Weisselberg and other company officials received corporate perks and benefits, such as rent-free flats and leased cars, that were not reported properly on their tax returns, according to several people familiar with the investigation. The exact charges prosecutors are preparing were not known.

The indictments would be the investigation’s first against top officials at Trump’s company, marking a critical shift from investigation to prosecution.

Prosecutors have been pressing Weisselberg, 73, to cooperate with their probe and provide testimony, so far without success. An indictment would increase that pressure. Weisselberg is among Trump’s closest confidants, having worked for the company since 1973 when it was run by Trump’s father, Fred.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James has also joined the investigation. Spokespeople for both the Manhattan and state prosecutors’ offices declined to comment. A lawyer for Weisselberg also declined to comment.

Trump’s lawyer, Fischetti, said the case is “embarrassing” and without merit.