Prosecuting a politician is not necessarily political

Donald Trump and the Trump Organization are on trial for the crime of fraud in stating inaccurate values for his properties when paying his taxes and applying for loans, not for merely misstating the value of these properties.

The crime does not hinge on the idea that properties have a real, set value, but rather on his manipulation of the stated values for the purpose of evading taxes and obtaining favorable loan rates.

It's understood that there is always a difference between assessed value and market value. The problem leading to the court case is the pattern and practice that is seen in the way that the Trump Organization changed the values of properties for its different purposes.

A fraud is defined as "a person or thing intended to deceive others, typically by unjustifiably claiming or being credited with accomplishments or qualities." That is clearly what Trump and the Trump Organization did with these properties.

Further, to do so with the intended result of financial or personal gain is the crime that he and his company committed.

Prosecuting a crime that a politician commits does not make the prosecution a political act; excusing or dismissing this behavior because Donald Trump is once again running for office would be a political act.

Every candidate for every office invites close investigation into his or her fitness for office. A business history of lies, fraud and shady dealing is a case of chickens coming home to roost at Trump Tower.

James M. Wisniewski

Roselle