Weisselberg Never Actually Ratted Out His Boss
Read the Washington POST story
Read the Story linked above.
At 76 years old Alan Weisselberg is paying the price for his unyielding loyalty within the Trump Organization, where he served for decades as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Weisselberg’s loyalty (and his pseudo-crimes) resulted in 2 separate incarcerations at Rikers Island, arguably one of the most notorious prisons in the United States.
Weisselberg’s journey with the Trump Organization began in the 1970s, initially working for Fred Trump, Donald Trump’s father, before transitioning to serve directly under Donald Trump. Over the years, he ascended to become not just a top executive but a trusted confidant within the Trump empire and privy to the innermost workings and secrets of the company’s financial strategies.
The legal challenges for Weisselberg began to mount as part of a broader investigation into the financial practices of the Trump Organization. His entanglement with the law was not due to personal business endeavors but stemmed from his deep involvement in the organization’s complex financial arrangements. These included practices that prosecutors argued were designed to evade taxes and manipulate financial statements to suit the needs of the moment, whether to secure loans or reduce tax liabilities.
Despite the swirling vortex of legal scrutiny, Weisselberg remained steadfast. His refusal to “rat out” his boss, former President Donald Trump, was seen by some as a demonstration of unwavering loyalty, a quality often both venerated and vilified in business and politics. Weisselberg’s loyalty, however, came at a significant personal cost. He faced his own charges, leading to a conviction and an initial sentence, which he served, only to find himself back at Rikers Island for additional time.
Rikers Island, where Weisselberg has been held, is infamous for its harsh conditions and is often reserved for those considered to be among the most challenging and dangerous offenders. The stark contrast between his previous high-status life as a CFO and his current circumstances in a harsh penal environment highlights the severe consequences of his legal battles. It also starkly illustrates the potential personal fallout from corporate and political crises.
Weisselberg’s situation serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of crossing these lines and the personal risks involved in standing by one’s employers or associates, especially when legal scrutiny is applied.
Furthermore, his case underscores the unique implications for the legal system’s approach to corporate malfeasance. Find and threaten the rat!
The focus on Weisselberg highlights the use of legal pressure on individuals within an organization to leverage information against higher-ups, a common but controversial tactic in corporate and political investigations.
In conclusion, Alan Weisselberg’s return to Rikers Island not only marks a significant personal downfall but also serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the intertwining of corporate power and personal loyalty.
His testimony never actually made solid culpable connections to Trump. Now he is in prison reserved for the worst of us. He is 76 and it could kill him. Every day in prison is hard. Hopefully he is able to survive in one of the toughest prisons in America.
