Cohen’s testimony brings Trump Organization CFO — and his family — into the limelight

Allen Weisselberg "probably will" be called before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Michael Cohen and Allen Weisselberg (Credit: Getty)
Michael Cohen and Allen Weisselberg (Credit: Getty)

A long-time Trump Organization executive, who got his start with the Trump family as an accountant for Fred Trump, is “probably” going to get called to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

President Donald Trump’s long-time accountant and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was mentioned over 20 times in Michael Cohen’s testimony before Congress last week, the New York Times reported.

Based on that testimony, Weisselberg’s role in the president and his real estate company’s finances is likely to bring the accountant under scrutiny. After the congressional hearing, the House Committee’s chairman Elijah Cummings said he “probably will” call more witnesses, including Weisselberg.

Meanwhile, Cohen’s statements last week have already brought Weisselberg’s — and his sons’ — decades-long relationship with the Trump real estate empire to the fore in a Times report published a day after the hearing.

In 2000, Weisselberg reportedly bought a one-bedroom apartment at Trump Parc East for $152,500. He then transferred the property to his son, Jack, who sold it for four times his father’s investment in 2006, according to the Times.

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Since 2008, Jack Weisselberg has worked at Ladder Capital, a commercial-focused real estate investment trust, where he is the executive director of the origination team.

The Times reported that, according to LinkedIn, the CFO’s other son, Barry, has been the property manager of Trump Wollman Rink for 17 years. (His LinkedIn profile is no longer available on the site.)

If Cummings does call Trump’s long-time accountant to appear before the congressional committee, it won’t be the first time Weisselberg has gotten tapped to share his knowledge of the president and his company’s dealings.

The CFO was granted “limited” immunity by federal prosecutors last August to testify before a grand jury about Cohen’s role in paying off adult-film star Stephanie Clifford and former Playboy model Karen McDougal as part of a criminal investigation. [NYT] — Erin Hudson