Court breaks until next week, when Allen Weisselberg will take the stand

Jeffrey McConney, controller for the Trump Organization, left, at New York State Supreme Court in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Donald Trump is facing off against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a contentious civil trial that threatens his control over his real estate empire in the state. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The fifth day of former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in Manhattan wrapped up at 12:45 p.m., with the trial set to resume next week.

Former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney testified about the 2013 valuation of Trump National Golf Club Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, New York. He was questioned by prosecutor Andrew Amer, who said the valuation was based on the addition of 71 midrise housing units.

The Trump Organization said the units would be worth $101 million when completed, however an appraisal had valued them at $43.3 million, Amer said. 

McConney testified that he had a conversation with Eric Trump, the president's second son, who instructed him to "leave the value as is" despite the appraisal. 

During a discussion about another Trump property at Seven Springs in Westchester County, New York, McConney admitted the property's $261 million valuation in 2013 included seven mansions, estimated to be worth $23 million each, that were not yet built.

McConney also told prosecutors that former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg was his boss. When asked by Amer whether Weisselberg asked him (McConney) on more than one occasion if Weisselberg asked him to commit fraud, he said no.

However, Amer then pointed to McConney's testimony during the Manhattan district attorney's trial where he responded differently. He read a portion of the transcript where McConney admits to processing a payroll check for Weisselberg’s wife so she can get social security benefits and that he (McConney) knew it was illegal.

McConney then said that he did that because Weisselber was his boss and he was afraid to get fired. 

Weisselberg will take the stand when the trial resumes Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET.