DOJ Must Explain Drop of Trump Donor, Fatburger Franchisor Case

The Justice Department must explain why it moved to drop corporate fraud charges against Andrew Wiederhorn, a donor to President Donald Trump and FAT Brands Inc. founder and chairman, a Los Angeles federal judge ordered Friday.

The government defers to prosecutors in most dismissal requests unless they are “clearly contrary to manifest public interest,” Judge R. Gary Klausner said. But he said DOJ must at least state a reason for dropping the indictment alleging Wiederhorn, FAT Brands, its former chief financial officer, and an outside accountant concealed $47 million from the IRS. He ordered DOJ to file the explanation with ...