The Trump Organization, the real estate business that catapulted Donald J. Trump to tabloid fame, television riches and ultimately the White House, was charged with running a 15-year scheme to help its executives evade taxes by compensating them with fringe benefits that were hidden from the authorities, writes The New York Times.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which has been conducting the investigation alongside the New York attorney general, also accused a top executive, Allen H. Weisselberg, of avoiding taxes on USD 1.7 million in perks that should have been reported as income.

Mr. Weisselberg, Mr. Trump’s long-serving and trusted chief financial officer, faced grand larceny, tax fraud and other charges.