After months of anticipation, a Manhattan jury has found The Trump Corporation and Trump Payroll Corporation guilty on all seventeen counts of tax fraud. The felony charges include scheming to defraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records, and will cost the organization up to $1.6 million, pending a sentence, scheduled for January 13th. High-ranking Trump executives were financially assisted by the organization to avoid taxes on luxury items, such as sports cars and lavish city apartments, according to CNN. 

Despite popular misinformation, former President Trump was not on trial. While the former president did establish the companies being charged and has connections to the officials who engaged in the fraud, he was never directly charged in the case. However, the controversial politician undoubtedly cast his shadow over all proceedings of the lawsuit. Witnesses alleged that Trump personally permitted many of the fraudulent practices within the firm, some of which had been in place for a reported 15 years, according to NBC.

With or without these personal connections, it is the Trump name that is attached to the company, and it will take the biggest hit in this case. The former president is already facing several investigations into his use and storage of classified White House documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, as well as a recent second impeachment on charges of incitement of insurrection, related to the events of January 6, 2021.

This news comes at the same time as Trump’s announcement of his presidential candidacy in the upcoming 2024 election. It is unknown whether he will receive the endorsement of the Republican Party, but he may even have traction to run independently. The decision in this case will likely have no impact on Trump’s dedicated base of support. However, it may impact the Republican Party’s decision of whether to support Trump’s candidacy or opt to nominate a less controversial figure. 

Released statements from the closing remarks of defense lawyer Susan Necheles reveal that the organization plans to appeal the case verdict. She cites Allen Weisselberg, former Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, as the sole perpetrator. A spokesperson for the organization stated that “the notion that a company could be held responsible for an employee’s actions, to benefit themselves, on their own personal tax returns is simply preposterous.” This case is still in progress, pending updates from the judicial verdict and official appeal by the defense.