Former Trump Organization CFO testifies

Allen Weisselberg on Tuesday took the stand to testify against former President Donald Trump at his ongoing civil fraud trial in New York. Weisselberg testified for the state of New York, even though he is listed as a defendant. He said he did not look too hard at statements that state attorneys say reflected exaggerated values of Trump’s properties and assets. He also testified that he did not remember discussing financial statements with the former president.

Why is Weisselberg testifying for the state, even as a defendant? Weisselberg emerged from behind bars earlier this year after serving time for dodging taxes on about $1.7 million in job perks. The state alleges Weisselberg prepared Trump’s financial statements in a way that exaggerated his net worth—something former Trump attorney Michael Cohen has said Trump ordered him to do. Judge Arthur Engoron ruled before the trial even began that Trump did exaggerate his net worth on paperwork used in business deals.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta and Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about another case against Trump in New York.