In a significant legal maneuver, Allen Weisselberg, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Trump Organization, has initiated steps to change his legal representation amidst an ongoing fraud case in New York, signaling a notable shift in his defense strategy. The court has been officially informed that attorney Alina Habba will no longer serve as Weisselberg’s counsel in this high-stakes legal battle.
This development comes at a critical juncture, closely preceding the criminal hush-money trial of Donald Trump in New York, a separate legal matter that has already seen Trump held liable for fraud related to the manipulation of asset values. These legal proceedings are unfolding within the Supreme Court of New York, County of New York, marking a tumultuous period for the individuals involved.
“IT IS HEREBY CONSENTED THAT MORIAN Law PLLC, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10165, be substituted as counsel of record for Defendant, Allen Weisselberg, in place and stead of Habba Madaio & Associates LLP, 112 West 34th St, 17th & 18th Floors, New York, NY 10120,” the filing said.
Weisselberg’s departure from the Trump legal orbit is significant given his long-standing role within Donald Trump’s business empire, spanning several decades. His deep involvement in the organization’s financial operations has made him a central figure in various legal inquiries surrounding Trump’s business dealings.
The backdrop to Weisselberg’s decision involves a series of legal challenges he has faced. In March, Weisselberg admitted to providing false testimony during Trump’s fraud trial, a confession that carries a sentence of five months in prison. His legal troubles extend back to 2022 when Weisselberg entered a guilty plea to 15 criminal charges, encompassing grand theft, criminal tax fraud, and the falsification of business records, following thorough investigations into the financial practices of the Trump Organization.
The repercussions of these legal entanglements began to materialize in January 2023 when Weisselberg commenced his jail sentence, concluding in April of the same year. Further compounding his situation, a February 2024 ruling imposed a three-year prohibition on Weisselberg, barring him from any financial control roles within New York corporations or businesses and from holding positions as a director or officer in any New York-based entities.
Alina Habba, who had been representing Weisselberg, joined Trump’s legal team in September 2021, taking over from several of Trump’s long-time attorneys. Since her induction, Habba has been at the forefront of defending Trump in a variety of legal battles, ranging from lawsuits against The New York Times and Trump’s niece, Mary L. Trump, to defamation cases and investigations into Trump’s business conduct.
However, Weisselberg’s decision to sever ties with Habba in March and his choice to enlist Armen Morian, another attorney familiar with Trump-related legal matters, underscores a strategic pivot in his legal defense. Morian, known for representing Trump’s business entities in the civil fraud case, is set to take over Weisselberg’s legal representation, marking a new chapter in this complex legal saga. This transition reflects the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the legal challenges surrounding the Trump Organization and its associated figures.