316 Comments
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Phried Ω's avatar

So the thing about taking tuition and cars to avoid taxes instead of being paid in cash and paying taxes on that cash is that you can't afford to flee the country when they come for you.

Hippo Heaven's avatar

Can anyone explain to me exactly how Weisselberg's perjury could allow Judge Engoron to increase the amount Trump has to pay? I don't quite understand.

Boojum's avatar

Because Weisselberg testified in support of Trump's claims about his wealth, that he was using to support his applications for lower interest loans. If he finds that Weisselberg's testimony was perjurious, he can find it to be affirmative evidence of guilt on the part of the Trump Organization.

Hippo Heaven's avatar

Thank you for that. But I thought the judge already had that evidence from other witnesses?

Boojum's avatar

Sure, but if Weisselberg lied, he can both disregard everything else he said and draw an inference against Trump, because Weisselberg is a high level employee (officer?) who Trump put on the stand to lie.

Major Is My Spirit Animal's avatar

Quite simple - Engoron is going to be the person solely determining the amount and type of the penalties assessed to the Drumpf Organization (having already ruled them guilty), and if he determines that their counsel wasted the court's time by putting a witness that was willing to perjure himself in order to help the defense then he might decide that the corporate death penalty isn't quite enough and do his level best to bankrupt PAB as well.

Hippo Heaven's avatar

Well, I am wondering about that. Judge Engoron has to come up with a figure, and then back up his reasoning. Can he just say that all bets are off because Weisselberg committed perjury?

Hippo Heaven's avatar

I just don't understand this. Judges' opinions are dozens of pages, sometimes more than 100 pages. Their reasoning is very specific. How can he just say, "I am throwing the book at Trump. So Ordered." ??

Boojum's avatar

He would use more words, but that's what they would mean.

Jeanne Norris Neal's avatar

After FALSUS UNO, can we play JENGA?

Jeanne Norris Neal's avatar

After FALSUS UNO, can we play JENGA?

GrannysKnitting's avatar

these people - its a pathology with them isn't it

Daniel O'Riordan's avatar

You know how to be a lawyer as smart as Alina Habba, Evan. Just purse your lips and blow.

Johnny Appleseed's avatar

It appears the good Judge is (or has) reaching/reached his breaking point with this criminal entity. A real Shame (not).

kmblue187's avatar

"Engoron" sounds like the name of a White Knight. "Sir Engoron"

Tessie's avatar

It's Ed Wood's D&D character.

Banana Hammer's avatar

Sci Fi space villain. Lord Engoron from the planet of Xteros

Ted Price's avatar

I'd love it if he gave a $500 Million decision and held it open until he could collect additional testimony to allow the court to evaluate the likelihood that Mr. Trump committed tax fraud with his Chicago property. I assume a Judge can make a criminal referral if he has the evidence...

Greg's avatar

"We don’t know, we don’t know how to fake being a smart lawyer like Alina Habba"

LOL - I could give it a try! Results not guaranteed...

Tosca's avatar

I'm told it's easier than faking being pretty.

[Redacted]'s avatar

If Wesseberg is engaged in plea negotiations over alleged perjury, he has impeached his own testimony. Judge does need a verdict in a criminal case to consider Wesselberg backing away from his own testimony.

OG Blockhead's avatar

I saw some coverage of this that suggested Engoron was coming down hard on all the parties, including the AG's office, and I'm pretty sure it was CNN so, yes, total bullshit. The AG just has to share whatever they know to the extent it doesn't violate ethics or other restrictions on them.

Weird how Weisselberg wants to die in prison or whatever.

el duderino's avatar

Evan, I’m pretty sure “Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus” translates to:

“Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, Magic Bus”

Opalescent Riddles's avatar

YYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!

RefillingThorsBeer's avatar

I for one would not like to see ANYONE Falsus Weisselbergs Uno... because that might break Pronhub for good....

Runfastandwin's avatar

Maybe I am wrong about Engoron's lap dog tendencies to be all bark and no bite. I hope so.