New York Post

DON’$ RED STATE

Taxes show losses

- By ELIZABETH ROSNER and PRISCILLA DEGREGORY

Former President Donald Trump reported losses on his tax returns each year for a decade — including close to $1 billion over a two-year span alone, according to his onetime accountant.

Donald Bender, a partner at accounting firm Mazars USA, took the stand in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday as part of the criminal tax fraud case against the Trump Organizati­on.

From 2009 to 2018, Bender testified, he filed taxes for Trump, 76, and “there are losses for all these years.”

Bender — who was called as the first defense witness and given immunity for testifying before a grand jury — admitted that in 2009 and 2010 alone Trump reported losing close to $1 billion.

“Do you recall in 2010 Donald Trump had losses of almost $200 million on his personal tax returns?” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Susan Hoffinger asked.

“I believe so,” Bender replied.

“Do you recall in 2009, Donald Trump had, his personal tax returns had losses around $700 million?” Hoffinger then asked.

“Sounds about right,” the accountant said.

The testimony provided informatio­n about Trump’s tax returns, which the expresiden­t has long tried to keep hidden. On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s tax returns must be given to the congressio­nal committee that’s been seeking them for three years.

Mazars prepped the Trump Org’s taxes until it split with the real estate company in February after finding that statements the ex-president made about his financials were unreliable.

Bender said he also personally handled the taxes for ex-Trump Org CFO Allen Weisselber­g for several years. He denied being aware that the company allegedly paid the exec cushy perks for 12 years — including rent, utilities, parking garage fees, thousands in Christmas tips to his doorman and furniture for his Florida home.

The Trump Org is accused of cheating tax authoritie­s for 15 years by funding top company execs with unreported extra compensati­on.

If found guilty, the company could face $1.6 million in fines. Trump is not personally charged in the case.

Weisselber­g testified last week as the star prosecutio­n witness, claiming it was his “own personal greed that led to this case.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States