A new grand jury has been assembled to examine evidence collected during the two-year investigation into former U.S. President Donald Trump's businesses, and it could be an indication of the Manhattan District Attorney seeking to press charges.
Grand Jury Development Sends New Signals
A source with knowledge of the developments but spoke on condition of anonymity due to privacy said Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. convened the grand jury to examine evidence three days a week for six months.
Vance's investigation on Trump's business dealings includes potential bank-related fraud and tax fraud, specifically on whether the former U.S. president's declared properties were overvalued and whether his debts were obscured to secure loans.
Questions have since been raised regarding the purpose of the grand jury's formation and whether it could indicate that the Manhattan DA office is seeking to press criminal charges.
Furthermore, the latest development is believed to be hinting that Vance or someone else in his circle already has a case against the business mogul.
Trump: 'Purely Political'
In response to Vance's latest move, Trump said in a statement that the investigation was "purely political ... and it's being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors."
When New York Attorney General Letitia James announced last week that her office has transitioned its investigation into Trump "in a criminal capacity," the former politician called the criminal probe a "witch hunt."
While history has displayed the New York attorney general and the district attorney as fierce rivals, the two offices are joining hands in getting to the bottom of the Trump Organization's business practices.
The Trump Organization has yet to officially comment on the inquiry.
Trump Executive Probed
Part of James' investigation involves a criminal probe into the Trump Organization's chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.
According to people with knowledge of the situation, James' office informed the company earlier this year about the inquiry into Weisselberg due to tax-related issues.
James' probe on the Trump Organization's CFO focuses on whether taxes were paid on perks that Trump provided for Weisselberg, such as private school tuition in thousands for at least one of the CFO's grandchildren.
Jennifer Weisselberg, the CFO's former daughter-in-law, has said that she has been asked regarding gifts her ex-husband, Barry Weisselberg, received from Trump as well as tuition accounts.
Sources revealed earlier that the Manhattan DA office has been trying to convince Weisselberg to become a witness against Trump and the company.
Other Major Inquiries about Trump
Aside from the inquiry into Trump's assets and the Trump Organization's business dealings, there are other major lawsuits that the former U.S. president is faced with.
First, there's E. Jean Carroll, who alleged that Trump raped her in the 1990s. Last year, a federal judge rejected Trump's attempt to dismiss the case and it is now moving up to the federal court system.
Another inquiry that has moved to a trial court involves Summer Zervos, who filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump due to the latter's denial of Zervos' allegations of sexual assault in 2007.
Finally, the businessman is also being hounded by a lawsuit from his niece, Mary Trump, who alleged that Trump worked with other family members to keep her from obtaining her supposed share from her grandfather, Fred Trump Sr.'s estate.
