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Donald Trump could face tax evasion charges after stepping down, here's why former Watergate prosecutor thinks so

'Trump has done a whole series of activities that could qualify as tax fraud,' said Akerman
PUBLISHED NOV 8, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

As former VP Joe Biden became president-elect this Saturday, Donald Trump refused to concede -- although, that may not seem to be a huge problem compared to the possibility of him facing tax evasion once he's out of office. According to a Daily Mail report, former Watergate prosecutor Nick Akerman has predicted that Trump could face tax fraud -- he says that the case depends on "it was legal tax avoidance or illegal tax fraud." The New York Times reported that Trump only paid $750 in tax in 2016. The publication also claimed that the president has not paid taxes for 10-15 years before the 2016 election.

Akerman who was a prosecutor in the 1970's Watergate investigation, has reportedly said, "Trump has done a whole series of activities that could qualify as tax fraud. Tax avoidance is simply taking the tax code and getting the most deduction you can and that is perfectly legal. Tax fraud is lying about what your income was, lying what your deductions are." The Daily Mail also reported that Trump is not the only one that could be facing this legal challenge, his father Ivanka could be on the same boat. It was revealed she could have violated US tax laws because she was $747,000 in "consulting fees" while apparently also being paid as an employee of her father. The reason why this could be an issue for Trump after he is out of office is that American Law states that a sitting President can't be indicted on any criminal charges -- he could pardon himself though, or could be pardoned by Biden when he's in office, but no one knows how likely that is.

Legal troubles haven't only just hit the president, as prosecutors in New York City have been given permission to look at Trump's financial documents as they are investigating alleged "financial improprieties" in the president's organization. The president did have a few words to say about that, calling it "the worst witch-hunt in American history." The Daily Mail also reported that a legal source that seems to know the case revealed that, "Trump has immunity from prosecution as long as he is President but come January 20 [inauguration day], that immunity ends. No President has ever pardoned themselves but there's always a first time. There's nothing legally in the constitution to prevent it." The source added, "There is a lot of speculation that the district attorney could come after Trump and his immediate family – members like Don Jr and Ivanka." Everybody in being investigated in the case - Donald, Ivanka, and Donald Jr - all deny the accusations.

It seems that Mary Trump, the president's estranged niece isn't the only one that thinks Trump is heading to prison. The Daily Mail reported that the president's former personal lawyer. Michael Cohen said Trump "may soon be the first sitting President to go from the White House straight to prison." Cohen has served time in prison after pleading guilty to "multiple counts of tax evasion." The district attorney for Manhattan, Cyrus Vance Jr has revealed that his office is "investigating possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump organization."

RELATED TOPICS DONALD TRUMP NEW YORK NEWS
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