The Trump Organization and its longtime finance chief each pleaded not guilty Thursday to tax crime charges arising from a two-year investigation into former president Donald Trump’s company.

The company pleaded not guilty to a scheme to defraud and 14 other related charges, while CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded not guilty to criminal charges including second-degree grand larceny as outlined in a lengthy indictment unsealed in Manhattan State Supreme Court.

The indictment alleged the Trump Organization engaged in a “scheme to defraud” tax authorities in New York City and New York State from 2005 to 2021. The purpose, prosecutors said, was to compensate Weisselberg and other executive off the books.

Weisselberg benefitted to the tune of $1.7 million, Dunn said, and he is accused of avoiding paying taxes on it in a “sweeping and audacious payment scheme.”

The charges are the first brought by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance since he began investigating former President Trump’s finances and business practices two years ago and establish the startling prospect that a former President of the United States must defend the family real estate firm that he used to achieve fame, fortune, and, ultimately, the nation’s highest office.

This is not about politics,” Dunn said. “Politics has no role in the grand jury chamber, and I can assure you it played no role here.”

Alan Futerfas, representing the Trump Organization, said Dunn’s remarks “do not warrant a response.”

An attorney for Weisselberg said, “On behalf of Mr. Weisselberg, we object to the characterization of the facts just given.”

Former President Trump also released a statement on the proceedings.

“The political Witch Hunt by the Radical Left Democrats, with New York now taking over the assignment, continues,” he said. “It is dividing our Country like never before!”

Prosecutors said the evidence includes bookkeeping records, tax and banking records, grand jury transcripts and other records.

Given the nature of these records, the judge agreed to a protective order to limit disclosure to defendants and counsel of records.

Vance entered the courtroom alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is also part of the investigation. Neither made statements.

Weisselberg entered court like any accused criminal, in handcuffs, a court officer on either arm. The cuffs were removed as he took his seat at the defense table.

As Trump supporters criticize the charges and accuse the DA of employing little-used statutes merely to target the former president, the charges contained in the indictment are standard fare for a white-collar prosecution of a privately held company in Manhattan.

One expert described them to ABC News as “bread-and-butter” charges.

Prosecutors have long targeted secret compensation arrangements that substitute for taxable pay and bonuses.

Trump Organization lawyer Ron Fischetti told The Associated Press that prosecutors have told him Trump himself will not be charged at this time – “at least not with what’s coming down this week” – but added the investigation is continuing.

Investigators have scrutinized Trump’s tax records, subpoenaed documents and interviewed witnesses, including Trump insiders and company executives.

It isn’t illegal for a company to offer employees tuition help, lease them cars or let them use company-owned apartments, but such arrangements can be subject to income tax.

Fischetti has called the possibility of charges “absolutely outrageous” and politically motivated. He said it would be extremely unusual for prosecutors to seek criminal charges over unpaid tax on fringe benefits.

Some of the scrutiny has been focused on the 73-year-old Weisselberg, and Vance’s investigation stemmed in part from questions about his son’s use of a Trump apartment at little or no cost, cars leased for the family, and tuition payments made to a school attended by Weisselberg’s grandchildren.

In Manhattan, those kinds of prosecutions often involve the construction industry or other private firms that under-report employee wages to reduce tax liabilities.

The indictment represents a first strike in an ongoing investigation.

It does not include the hush payments to Stormy Daniels that touched off Vance’s interest, nor does it include property valuations Michael Cohen testified about before Congress. Both remain viable avenues of investigation, according to sources familiar with the case.

Weisselberg was released on his own recognizance but was required to surrender his passport.

Abc7ny