The Trump Card...

[Pilgrim]

I think we know exactly that. The Trump Organization was recently convicted of 17 tax CRIMES. In the trial, lawyers for the defense went to great lengths to make the case that the crime's were not committed at Trump's direction and direct involvement.

Apparently we do not "know exactly that". The Trump organization was found guilty, and of course will appeal all the way to SCOTUS if necessary.

They did everything they could to put 100% of the blame on the Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg. The Jury did not buy it. They instead took into account the evidence that showed Trump's direct involvement (including checks signed by Trump) and found the company, which is led by Trump, guilty.

The corporation was directly led by Weisselberg, and that was clearly established during the proceedings. Weisselberg at first pleaded not guilty, then copped a plea when faced with the evidence and did not go to trial. As part of the plea deal he testified for the prosecution against the Trump Corporation. Trump's direct involvement was not established.

Trump Organization found guilty on all 17 counts in NY tax fraud case

Prosecutors alleged during the four-week trial that for 15 years the Trump Org helped top execs skirt income taxes on cushy, off-the-books benefits including rent, private school tuition and luxury…

nypost.com

Trump himself was not charged...

And there you have it - they obviously couldn't produce the evidence or he would've been. NY Atty Gen Letitia James campaigned on the slogan of "getting Trump and his companies". Whether or not he'll be charged is pure speculation at this point. That said, IMHO either the state of NY or the Feds will indict Trump for something in order to keep the focus of the 2024 campaign on him instead of the Democrats' record during the Biden presidency. Maybe they've actually got the goods and are delaying this to coordinate the proceedings with the campaign season.

"Show me the man and I'll show you the crime"
- Lavrentiy Beria, chief of Stalin's Secret Police

 

[ATeam]

Apparently we do not "know exactly that". The Trump organization was found guilty, and of course will appeal all the way to SCOTUS if necessary.

Yes, they probably will appeal, but on what grounds and on what effect. Under the law one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Trump Organization is GUILTY. The fact that they may appeal does not make them innocent. They committed crimes and were found guilty.

The corporation was directly led by Weisselberg, and that was clearly established during the proceedings. Weisselberg at first pleaded not guilty, then copped a plea when faced with the evidence and did not go to trial. As part of the plea deal he testified for the prosecution against the Trump Corporation. Trump's direct involvement was not established.

Trump Organization found guilty on all 17 counts in NY tax fraud case

Prosecutors alleged during the four-week trial that for 15 years the Trump Org helped top execs skirt income taxes on cushy, off-the-books benefits including rent, private school tuition and luxury…

nypost.com

Trump's direct involvement was not established as a matter of guilt or innocence because Trump himself was not charged and he was not on trial. But Trump runs the company and was directly involved.

And there you have it - they obviously couldn't produce the evidence or he would've been.

That is a matter of speculation that could go both ways. I speculate that they could produce the evidence implicating Trump himself but they went for the easier win by charging the Trump Organization only. I further speculate that now victorious, and now seeing Trump fail in other court cases, and now seeing Trumps cases greatly weakened as his tax returns become public record, the NY DA will be emboldened and may well charge Trump for these crimes.

NY Atty Gen Letitia James campaigned on the slogan of "getting Trump and his companies". Whether or not he'll be charged is pure speculation at this point.

Yes it is. As I said, I speculate.

That said, IMHO either the state of NY or the Feds will indict Trump for something in order to keep the focus of the 2024 campaign on him instead of the Democrats' record during the Biden presidency. Maybe they've actually got the goods and are delaying this to coordinate the proceedings with the campaign season.

That too is speculation and it is permitted as mine is permitted.

"Show me the man and I'll show you the crime"
- Lavrentiy Beria, chief of Stalin's Secret Police

 

[ATeam]

More MAGA BS Recognized as BS

MSN

 

[muttly]

A Merry Christmas message:

 

[danthewolf00]

More MAGA BS Recognized as BS

MSN

Katy Hobbs ran the Arizona election and guess what she won.....not lake.
There was shenanigans pulled but the judge didn't care.

 

[muttly]

 

[ATeam]

Biden's and Trump's Christmas Greetings

 

[ATeam]

A Statement For the Ages

"In the [Jan. 6] Committee’s hearings, we presented evidence of what ultimately became a multi-part plan to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. That evidence has led to an overriding and straight forward conclusion: the central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him." (Source)

 

[ATeam]

The Fake Elector Scheme is Real and Trump is Personally Implicated

"... the [Jan 6 Committee] transcripts provide an unprecedented view into the Trump team’s coordinated efforts in Nevada to overturn the results of the election — efforts that included direct communication between McDonald and the president himself." (Source)

A few months ago, there was a lot of talk about the fake electors scheme not being real, not being chargeable, and/or not being something in which Trump was personally involved. None of that proved true. The truth is now out and the evidence says Trump was directly involved in this illegal attempt to thwart the transfer of power from Trump to Biden.

 

[muttly]

The Fake Elector Scheme is Real and Trump is Personally Implicated

"... the [Jan 6 Committee] transcripts provide an unprecedented view into the Trump team’s coordinated efforts in Nevada to overturn the results of the election — efforts that included direct communication between McDonald and the president himself." (Source)

A few months ago, there was a lot of talk about the fake electors scheme not being real, not being chargeable, and/or not being something in which Trump was personally involved. None of that proved true. The truth is now out and the evidence says Trump was directly involved in this illegal attempt to thwart the transfer of power from Trump to Biden.

It’s called the electoral college act. Notice how they changed it in the dark of night and without public debate? Sneaky sneaky…

 

[muttly]

A Statement For the Ages

"In the [Jan. 6] Committee’s hearings, we presented evidence of what ultimately became a multi-part plan to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. That evidence has led to an overriding and straight forward conclusion: the central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him." (Source)

Josef would be proud.

 

[ATeam]

It’s called the electoral college act. Notice how they changed it in the dark of night and without public debate? Sneaky sneaky…

I did not notice. What are you talking about? What changed in the dark of night?

 

[ATeam]

Thought of the Day

"People don’t just obstruct justice in a vacuum. They obstruct to conceal other crimes." Joyce Vance

 

[danthewolf00]

Thought of the Day

"People don’t just obstruct justice in a vacuum. They obstruct to conceal other crimes." Joyce Vance

Democrats would know.....

 

[Ragman]

 

[ATeam]

Trump Tax Returns to be Made Public Today

Sometime this morning, the House Ways and Means Committee will place six years of Trump's tax returns into the congressional record, thereby making them public. While they have the legal right to do so, I think they are doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons. I oppose this release. I believe it's a bad idea that will do more harm than good in the long run. Regrettably, the committee does not share my view and the deed will soon be done.

Whether you see it as as right or wrong, this public release of Trump's tax returns is a major defeat for Trump. He fought furiously and persistently to keep his tax returns private. He fought this fight in public. He fought it in the courts. And he lost. Something Trump very much did not want to happen is happening, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. Today, on this huge issue for Trump, he stands defeated and powerless.

While I'm eager and curious to learn what Trump's tax returns will reveal, I'm not going to rush to judgement. The left-wing media will predictably spin this in an anti-Trump light. They will likely highlight a single item or two and blow it out of proportion.

They will make much of the fact that billionaire Trump paid no taxes in certain years. But that, in itself, is not necessarily damning. It may very well be that his businesses were unprofitable in certain years. He would not be the only hotel and resort owner who lost money due to the COVID-19 shutdowns. Under the rules, such losses are legitimately carried forward to use as deductions in future profitable years.

I don't know why Trump fought so hard to keep his tax returns private when it is the custom of presidential candidates and office holders to voluntarily release theirs to the public. But he clearly fought that fight.

We'll learn why Trump fought that fight, not this morning, and not because of media spin. We'll learn why in a few days, after forensic accountants and others who know how to read a large-business tax return look through them and share what they learn.

A possible benefit from this release is it may start or revive a broad public interest in the inequities of tax law. With the inequality of wealth distribution we see today, all citizens can legitimately ask why so many tax loopholes exist for multi-billionaires that seemingly do nothing to benefit the country or its citizens.

 

[ATeam]

Trump's Response to the Public Release of his Tax Returns

“The Democrats should have never done it, the Supreme Court should have never approved it, and it’s going to lead to horrible things for so many people,” Trump said in a statement following the release.

"The ‘Trump’ tax returns once again show how proudly successful I have been and how I have been able to use depreciation and various other tax deductions as an incentive for creating thousands of jobs and magnificent structures and enterprises.” (Source)

 

[coalminer]

Trump's Response to the Public Release of his Tax Returns

“The Democrats should have never done it, the Supreme Court should have never approved it, and it’s going to lead to horrible things for so many people,” Trump said in a statement following the release.

"The ‘Trump’ tax returns once again show how proudly successful I have been and how I have been able to use depreciation and various other tax deductions as an incentive for creating thousands of jobs and magnificent structures and enterprises.” (Source)

And there it is, the rich person arrogance, I employ people who pay taxes so I shouldn't have to pay them!!!

If I made a billion dollars, I would not complain about paying 350 million in taxes. But then again, I'm not greedy.....

 

[ATeam]

You Can Download Trump's Tax Returns

If you wish to review the actual tax returns of a former president, you need only click this link to download them. (Large .zip file)

 

[ATeam]

First of all, "Trump's IRS commissioner" also held that position under Obama so he wasn't a hand-picked Trump acolyte.

Actually, Rettig IS a hand-picked Trump acolyte. If he was in any way associated with the Obama administration, I cannot find mention of it with Google searches. What leads you to believe he was?

The spotlight is shifting onto Rettig now that the House Ways and Means Committee report is out. People want to know why this Trump appointee did not audit Trumps tax returns in some years as IRS policy requires and as has routinely been done with prior presidents.

Rettig won’t hold the wealthy accountable — the IRS needs new leadership

Rettig, as commissioner, is a banner advertising that the department is not on the side of ordinary Americans.

thehill.com

"Rettig, appointed by President Trump in 2018, has since proven himself unwilling to identify and punish wealthy tax evaders. Under his leadership, rather than completing audits on the rich, the IRS audited workers making less than $25,000 five times more often than all other filers. Rettig’s IRS audited the poorest Americans who used the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at a higher rate than every other tax bracket, save for the absolute wealthiest Americans. They even reduced the number of millionaires audited to 13,725 in 2021, just a third of the amount 10 years ago."