Headshots of both Donald Trump and Pam Bondi, stitched together in a collageDonald Trump and Pam Bondi, key figures in the Trump Foundation scandal.
The Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi scandal rocked the political landscape in 2016, raising serious questions about corruption, campaign finance violations, and abuse of power. This comprehensive timeline details the events surrounding the illegal $25,000 donation made by the Trump Foundation to a political group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the subsequent investigations and fallout.
The Genesis of the Scandal: Early Complaints and Legal Action
The scandal’s roots lie in numerous complaints filed against Trump University and related entities. Between February 2008 and May 2011, the Florida Office of the Attorney General (OAG) received at least 22 complaints alleging fraudulent practices. These complaints predate the pivotal events of 2013.
In August 2013, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, Trump University, and its former president for engaging in “persistent fraudulent, illegal, and deceptive conduct.” This lawsuit put increased pressure on other states, including Florida, to investigate Trump University’s practices.
The Illegal Donation and Bondi’s Decision: A Quid Pro Quo?
As the New York lawsuit gained momentum, the Orlando Sentinel and Palm Beach Post reported in September 2013 that the Florida OAG was reviewing the allegations. Just days later, on September 17, 2013, the Donald J. Trump Foundation made a $25,000 contribution to And Justice for All, a political committee supporting Pam Bondi’s re-election campaign. This donation was illegal under federal law, as charitable foundations like the Trump Foundation are prohibited from making political contributions. Adding fuel to the fire, the donation was personally solicited by Bondi from Trump.
Shortly after the donation, Bondi’s office publicly stated that it was not considering joining the New York lawsuit and downplayed the number of complaints received against Trump University, claiming there was only one. This decision, coupled with the timing of the illegal donation, raised significant concerns about a potential quid pro quo arrangement between Trump and Bondi.
Unraveling the Deception: CREW’s Investigation and Public Records Requests
The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) played a crucial role in exposing the scandal. Through public records requests, CREW uncovered internal emails revealing that OAG employees had deliberately misrepresented the number of complaints against Trump University, purging records to support Bondi’s public statements.
CREW also discovered that the Trump Foundation had falsely reported its 2013 taxes, omitting the illegal donation to And Justice for All and substituting a different, similarly named organization in Kansas. These revelations led to a series of complaints filed by CREW against the Trump Foundation and Bondi.
Escalating Scrutiny and Fallout: IRS Complaints and Criminal Investigations
In March 2016, CREW filed a complaint against the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation. Trump representatives admitted to the violation, attributing it to clerical errors. However, the scandal continued to escalate, with CREW filing additional complaints with the IRS, the Florida Inspector General, and the state’s Commission on Ethics.
CREW’s investigations prompted further scrutiny of the Trump Foundation’s finances and operations, uncovering a pattern of self-dealing and potential misuse of charitable funds for personal gain. The organization filed criminal bribery complaints against Trump and Bondi with the Department of Justice, calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Aftermath: Public Outcry and Foundation Closure
The Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi scandal became a major news story during the 2016 presidential campaign, contributing to public distrust of both Trump and Bondi. Faced with mounting pressure and legal challenges, Trump announced in December 2016 that he would shut down the Trump Foundation.
Lingering Questions and the Importance of Accountability
While the Trump Foundation ultimately closed, the scandal continues to raise important questions about the influence of money in politics, the importance of transparency in charitable organizations, and the need for accountability for those who abuse their power. The Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi scandal serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption and the crucial role of watchdog organizations in holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi Scandal
What was the Trump Foundation? The Trump Foundation was a private foundation established by Donald Trump in 1987.
Why was the $25,000 donation illegal? Charitable foundations are prohibited by federal law from making political contributions.
What was Pam Bondi’s role in the scandal? As Florida Attorney General, Bondi solicited the illegal donation from Trump while her office was considering whether to investigate Trump University.
What was the outcome of the investigations? The Trump Foundation admitted to the illegal donation, paid a penalty to the IRS, and was ultimately shut down. No criminal charges were filed against Trump or Bondi.
What is CREW? CREW stands for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that promotes ethics and accountability in government.
