Allen H. Weisselberg, Donald J. Trump's longtime financial lieutenant, was sentenced to five months in a Rikers Island jail for perjury, marking the second time he has been behind bars. The sentence was handed down by a state judge in Manhattan, following his guilty plea last month to two counts of perjury committed while being questioned by the New York attorney general's office. Weisselberg's lawyer stated that he accepted responsibility for his conduct and looks forward to returning to his family and retirement.

The charges against Weisselberg stem from his testimony in a civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump, Weisselberg, and other Trump Organization executives. Weisselberg had lied about his role in Trump's financial statements and involvement in manipulating property values to deceive lenders and insurers. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which brought the charges, revealed that Weisselberg's emails contradicted his claims of innocence.

Weisselberg's guilty plea and subsequent sentencing come just days before Trump is set to go on trial in the same courthouse on charges of covering up hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges as well as three others related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and handling of government documents.

Weisselberg, who had worked for the Trump family for over five decades, now faces five months in jail and a $1.1 million fine, including interest. The sentencing marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump and his associates, with Weisselberg's guilty plea potentially impacting the cases against his former boss.