Jurors in Trump Organization tax fraud trial set to begin deliberations

Jurors in New York were on Monday set to deliberate their verdict in the trial of the Trump Organization, accused of running a criminal tax fraud scheme enriching executives with off-the-books benefits including property and luxury vehicles.

Prosecutors described a 15-year scheme in which the Trump Organization reduced its tax liability in various ways, including by reducing payroll and giving executives other perks to make up the difference in their salaries.

The company was charged in July last year after investigators looked into why some salaried Trump Organization executives were also receiving benefits as if they were independent contractors. The trial began in October.

The company has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of criminal fraud and faces up to $1.6m in fines if convicted.