Former President Donald Trump's longtime financial gatekeeper Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury in a Manhattan courtroom.
The charges stem from his testimony in the New York attorney general's investigation into Trump and his real estate empire.
On March 4th, 2024, former President Donald Trump's longtime financial gatekeeper Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury in a Manhattan courtroom. The charges stem from his testimony in the New York attorney general's investigation into Trump and his real estate empire. This is the latest legal setback for the former president, who has been facing numerous investigations and lawsuits since leaving office.
Weisselberg lied under oath to the New York attorney general's office when it was investigating Trump for fraud.
Letitia James, sued Trump in 2022, accusing him of wildly inflating his net worth to obtain favorable loans and other benefits.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author's statement that 'Allen H. Weisselberg has already spent time at the Rikers Island jail complex.' is false as he was released on bail after his initial arrest and conviction for tax fraud.
The article falsely states that Allen H. Weisselberg has already spent time at the Rikers Island jail complex.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that Allen Weisselberg's perjury plea will send him back to Rikers Island jail complex. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the situation as a 'tortured legal odyssey'. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Mr. Weisselberg's loyalty towards Trump and his subsequent punishment for perjury.
Allen H. Weisselberg, former President Donald J. Trump’s longtime financial gatekeeper,
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges. This is an example of bias as it implies that the author believes Mr. Weisselberg's guilt and presents it in a negative light.
> The perjury plea will send him back.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The authors of the article have a conflict of interest on several topics related to Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump. The authors are part of The New York Times, which has previously reported on perjury charges against Weisselberg and is currently investigating Trump for fraud in Manhattan.
The authors work for the same news organization that has previously reported on perjury charges against Allen Weisselberg.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Allen Weisselberg and his relationship with Donald J. Trump as they were both involved in perjury charges.
Ex-Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two first-degree perjury counts in a Manhattan Criminal Court hearing
Weisselberg lied about what he knew about the actual size of Trump's Fifth Ave. penthouse and when, during his testimony in the NY attorney general's investigation into Trump's real estate empire
Accuracy
Ex-Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg lied about what he knew about the actual size of Trump's Fifth Ave. penthouse and when, during his testimony in the NY attorney general's investigation into Trump's real estate empire
Allen H. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to felony perjury charges in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday.
Weisselberg lied under oath to the New York attorney general's office when it was investigating Trump for fraud.
Deception
(90%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that Allen Weisselberg has pleaded guilty to perjury and fraud charges related to his work at Trump Organization. However, this is not entirely accurate as he only pleaded guilty to two counts out of five charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. Secondly, the article states that Weisselberg lied during a deposition on July 17, 2020 concerning the value of Trump Tower triplex which was falsely recorded as three times its size in business deals. However, this is not entirely accurate as emails between Forbes reporters and Trump Organization employees directly contradicted his testimony. Thirdly, Weisselberg also lied in a deposition about his role in tallying asset values which further belied his claim that he never heard Trump describe the triplex's size.
Weisselberg also lied in a deposition about his role in tallying asset values which further belied his claim that he never heard Trump describe the triplex's size.
The article states that Weisselberg lied during a deposition on July 17, 2020 concerning the value of Trump Tower triplex which was falsely recorded as three times its size in business deals. However, this is not entirely accurate as emails between Forbes reporters and Trump Organization employees directly contradicted his testimony.
The title of the article implies that Allen Weisselberg has pleaded guilty to perjury and fraud charges related to his work at Trump Organization. However, this is not entirely accurate as he only pleaded guilty to two counts out of five charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an example of a false statement made by the author. The author claims that Weisselberg lied to the New York attorney general concerning what he knew about the actual size of Trump's Fifth Ave. penthouse and when, but it is not clear from the article whether this claim is true or not.
The ex-chief financial officer was charged with five counts in a plea deal that allowed him to plead guilty to two.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topics of Donald Trump and Allen Weisselberg as they are both individuals associated with the Trump Organization. The article also mentions that there is an ongoing investigation by Manhattan DA's office which could be related to these individuals or their organization.
The article mentions that Weisselberg surrendered to authorities on new charges.
The article states 'Weisselberg, who served as chief financial officer for the Trump Organization, was charged in a criminal case last year with tax fraud and grand larceny.'
Weisselberg served as chief financial officer for the Trump Organization and was indicted and accused of carrying out a long-standing fraud aimed at hiding income from tax authorities. The company was convicted in 2022, then ordered to pay $1.6 million in fines.
In that case, Weisselberg pleaded guilty to committing more than a dozen felonies and was sentenced to five months in jail and five years probation.
Accuracy
Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges. These charges stem from statements he made in 2020 to the New York attorney general's office during an investigation into Trump and his business.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author states that Weisselberg pleaded guilty to five counts of perjury in the first degree and was sentenced to two counts. However, this contradicts court filings which state that he pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury. Secondly, the article implies that Weisselberg is facing a civil fraud lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) for falsifying financial records kept by the Trump Organization. However, it does not mention any specific allegations or evidence presented in this case which would support such claims.
The article states that Weisselberg pleaded guilty to five counts of perjury in the first degree and was sentenced to two counts. However, court filings state that he pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges and has faced multiple felonies in previous cases. This implies that he is a credible source of information without providing any evidence for this claim. Secondly, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it describes Trump as being unfairly targeted by investigators and law enforcement. Thirdly, there are several instances where the author uses dichotomous depiction to describe Weisselberg's actions in previous cases as either
The article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it describes Trump as being unfairly targeted by investigators and law enforcement.
There are several instances where the author uses dichotomous depiction to describe Weisselberg's actions in previous cases.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes Trump and his associates by referring to them as 'fine and honorable men' who have been unfairly targeted. This is an example of monetary bias, where the author implies that Weisselberg has suffered financially due to investigations into him and his company.
The former president, who is seeking another term in office, is facing four pending criminal cases.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Mark Berman and El M. Calabrese have a conflict of interest on the topics of Allen Weisselberg, Donald Trump, Trump Organization, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), civil fraud lawsuit, grand larceny and criminal tax fraud charges.
Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury for lying about his former employer's bank fraud schemes.
He now faces another five months in jail for frustrating law enforcement efforts to get at his former boss.
Accuracy
Allen Weisselberg lied about his former employer's bank fraud schemes.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Manhattan DA's tax fraud trial against Trump companies resulted in a guilty verdict and the New York AG's bank fraud trial against the Trumps hit them with a $464 million judgment, without providing any evidence or context for these claims. This is not enough information to establish their credibility as an authority on this matter. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Weisselberg as
The Manhattan DA's tax fraud trial against Trump companies resulted in a guilty verdict and the New York AG's bank fraud trial against the Trumps hit them with a $464 million judgment.
Weisselberg always played the role of a reluctant witness, refusing to point the finger at Trump as the mastermind behind persistently dishonest behavior at his real estate company.
Bias
(85%)
The author has a clear political bias against Trump and his associates. The article is written in an inflammatory manner that portrays Weisselberg as someone who consistently lies to protect Trump. This bias is evident in the use of phrases such as 'reluctant witness', 'keeps trying to protect Trump' and 'finally be willing to testify openly against his former boss'. The author also uses language that dehumanizes Weisselberg, referring to him as a disgraced accountant. This bias is further reinforced by the inclusion of details about other scandals involving Trump and Weisselberg, which are used to paint a negative picture of both men.
The article is written in an inflammatory manner that portrays the situation negatively for Trump and his associates
The author consistently portrays Weisselberg as someone who lies to protect Trump
The author uses language that dehumanizes Allen Weisselberg
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Jose Pagliery has a conflict of interest on the topics of Trump and bank/tax fraud as he is an accountant for Donald Trump. He also has a personal relationship with Allen Weisselberg who was charged with tax fraud.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Trump and his accountant Allen Weisselberg. The article mentions that Weisselberg is an associate of Donald Trump.
Former President Donald J. Trump's longtime financial gatekeeper
Weisselberg lied under oath to the New York attorney general's office when it was investigating Trump for fraud.
Letitia James, sued Trump in 2022, accusing him of wildly inflating his net worth to obtain favorable loans and other benefits.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges but fails to mention that he was also charged with five counts of perjury and ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts on Monday. This omission creates a false impression by only focusing on one aspect of his guilt.
The article states that Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges but fails to mention the full extent of his guilt.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Manhattan District Attorney's office said Weisselberg pleaded guilty on Monday and will receive five months in jail at a sentencing hearing slated for April 10. Additionally, the author quotes Seth Rosenberg, Weisselberg's lawyer, who states that his client looks forward to putting this situation behind him. This is an example of inflammatory rhetoric as it implies that Weisselberg has been wronged and is looking forward to being free from any consequences for his actions.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office said Weisselberg pleaded guilty on Monday
Seth Rosenberg, Weisselberg’s lawyer, stated that his client looks forward to putting this situation behind him.
Bias
(85%)
The author of the article is biased towards Trump and his organization. The use of phrases such as 'Former President Trump's civil fraud trial', 'Trump appealed the decision', and 'New York Judge Arthur Engoron last month ordered Trump, his companies and fellow defendants to pay about $364 million for committing years of financial fraud' all suggest a pro-Trump bias. Additionally, the author uses language that dehumanizes Weisselberg by referring to him as an ex-convict who committed perjury.
Former President Trump's civil fraud trial
New York Judge Arthur Engoron last month ordered Trump, his companies and fellow defendants to pay about $364 million for committing years of financial fraud
Trump appealed the decision
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest with one or more topics provided. The author is Ivana Saric who works for Axios which has financial ties to the Trump Organization through its parent company Comcast.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of perjury charges against Allen Weisselberg as she is reporting on his guilty plea in a civil fraud trial. The article does not disclose this conflict.
