Trump Organization faces criminal tax fraud trial over perks

A box bearing the words "The Trump Corp," "The Trump Payroll Corp," and "Allen Weisselberg," is brought to a courtroom as lawyers arrive to criminal court, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in New York. The Trump Organization is on trial this week for criminal tax fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

For years, as Donald Trump was soaring from reality TV star to the White House, his real estate empire was bankrolling big perks for some of his top executives, including apartments and luxury cars.

Now Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, is on trial for criminal tax fraud — on the hook for what prosecutors say was a 15-year scheme by his most trusted lieutenant to avoid paying taxes on those fringe benefits.

In opening statements Monday, prosecutors and defense lawyers sparred over the company’s culpability for the actions of Allen Weisselberg, who has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify as a star prosecution witness in exchange for a five-month jail sentence.