As Prosecutors in Manhattan, continue their Investigation into the Trump Organization's Finances, Attorneys in Scotland, are citing its Progress to Advocate for Opening a Parallel Investigation into how Trump's Company Financed Golf Courses in the Country.
At a Virtual Court Hearing, in Scotland, Attorney Kay Springham, asked a Judge to allow the Government to Issue an "unexplained wealth order" or UWO, also known as a "McMafia order,".
The Order would Force the Trump Organization to Open up its Books and explain how it Financed the Acquisition of its Two Scottish Resorts.
In trying to persuade the Judge, Springham pointed to the ongoing Criminal Proceedings in New York, where the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has filed Tax Fraud Charges against the Trump Organization and its CFO, Allen Weisselberg.
Weisselberg played Roles in Operating the Company's Two Golf Courses in Scotland. Several days after the New York Indictments were Filed, Weisselberg was Terminated from his Role as Director of Trump International Golf Club Scotland, the Holding Company that Owns Trump's Aberdeenshire Golf Resort and the Trump International Golf Links.
Springham said that the Charges against Weisselberg illustrated why the Scottish Government should be concerned about whether the Trump Organization Concealed the Sources of its Wealth.
She suggested a UWO may extend to Weisselberg as well as to Trump. "It's evident from the matters set out in the petition that there are real and substantial concerns about financial arrangements of the Trump Organization, of which Mr. Trump is the sole or principal owner," Springham said, adding: "Since the petition has been lodged, there have been further developments … the charges laid against the Trump Organization's chief financial officer [Allen] Weisselberg."
In January, Patrick Harvie, the Green Party Co-Founder and a Member of the Scottish Parliament, called for a UWO Investigation into how the Trump Organization Financed its All-Cash Purchase of the Golf Courses.
But Nicola Sturgeon, who Leads the Scottish Government, said the Scottish Parliament didn't have that Power and that only Law Officers, or Independent Prosecutors, could Issue such an Order.
Harvie and Avaaz, a Nonprofit Group, are Challenging Sturgeon's Claim. Avaaz hired Springham to Persuade a Judge that Sturgeon was Wrong about her Interpretation of the Law, and that Scotland's Elected Ministers can invoke its Powers.
The UWO is a relatively New Legal Instrument, the United Kingdom introduced it in 2018, as a way to help Investigate Money Laundering and other Financial Crimes.
Both of Trump's Scottish Golf Resorts have Posted Losses continuously since Trump has Run them and Owe Millions Pounds to Creditors. Harvie, in February, Questioned how Trump was able to Purchase both Resorts between 2006 and 2014. Avaaz said Trump Purchased both as part of a $400 Million spending spree, which raised Questions about how he had Financed the Cash Deals.
Lord Sandison, who is Ruling on Avaaz's Appeal, said that he would decide on the Case shortly.
If the High Court Rules the Scottish Government Misinterpreted the Law, Scottish Lawmakers will have a chance to Decide whether to Initiate a UWO Investigation into the Trump Organization.
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