Headshots of both Donald Trump and Pam Bondi, stitched together in a collageDonald Trump and Pam Bondi: Key figures in a political scandal involving the Trump Foundation.
The Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi scandal rocked the 2016 presidential election, raising serious questions about corruption and influence peddling. This timeline details the events of the scandal, from the initial complaints against Trump University to the eventual shutdown of the Trump Foundation. The core of the controversy revolves around an illegal $25,000 donation made by the Trump Foundation to a political group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. This contribution, made while Bondi’s office was considering investigating Trump University for fraud, sparked outrage and led to multiple investigations.
The Beginning of the Scandal: Complaints and Lawsuits
The story begins long before the infamous donation. Between February 2008 and May 2011, the Florida Office of the Attorney General (OAG) received at least 22 complaints concerning Trump University, the Trump Institute, and associated businesses. These complaints alleged fraudulent practices and deceptive business tactics.
In August 2013, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, the Trump Entrepreneur Institute (also known as Trump University), and its former president. The lawsuit accused them of “engaging in persistent fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct.” This legal action put further pressure on other states, including Florida, to examine the allegations against Trump University.
The Illegal Donation and Cover-Up
In September 2013, the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post reported that the Florida OAG was reviewing the allegations presented in the New York lawsuit. Just days later, on September 17, 2013, the Donald J. Trump Foundation made a $25,000 contribution to And Justice for All, a pro-Bondi political committee. This donation was illegal because charitable foundations, like the Trump Foundation, are prohibited from engaging in political activities. Adding to the impropriety, Bondi personally solicited the donation from Trump. This timing raised immediate concerns about a potential quid pro quo: was the donation an attempt to influence Bondi’s decision regarding an investigation into Trump University?
Shortly after the donation, the OAG 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. Internal emails later revealed that OAG employees deliberately excluded complaints related to the Trump Institute to artificially reduce the number of complaints on record. This manipulation of information further fueled suspicions of a cover-up.
To further obfuscate the illegal donation, the Trump Foundation filed its 2013 taxes falsely claiming it made no political contributions. They even listed a different organization in Kansas with a similar name to And Justice for All as the recipient of the donation. This attempt to conceal the truth only deepened the scandal when uncovered.
CREW’s Investigation and Legal Actions
In March 2016, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint against the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation. Trump representatives admitted to the illegality, attributing it to clerical errors. However, the series of inconsistencies and questionable actions by the Trump Foundation and the Florida OAG pointed to a more deliberate effort to avoid scrutiny of Trump University.
CREW continued its investigation, uncovering further evidence of wrongdoing. In July 2016, CREW filed complaints against Bondi with the Florida Inspector General and the state’s Commission on Ethics for failing to investigate Trump University after receiving the donation. CREW also filed multiple complaints with the IRS against the Trump Foundation for various violations, including using foundation funds for Trump’s personal benefit and engaging in prohibited self-dealing. These actions highlighted a pattern of unethical behavior and potential illegal activity by both Trump and Bondi.
The Fallout and Shutdown of the Trump Foundation
The scandal continued to escalate throughout the 2016 presidential campaign. In September 2016, the Washington Post revealed that the Trump Foundation had paid a $2,500 IRS penalty for the illegal donation to Bondi’s political group. This revelation brought the scandal to national attention and intensified scrutiny of Trump’s business practices.
Facing mounting legal pressure and public criticism, Trump announced in December 2016 that he would shut down the Trump Foundation. This decision came after years of alleged misuse of funds and ethical breaches. The scandal ultimately served as a stark example of the potential for corruption and abuse of power within charitable organizations and political campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trump Foundation-Pam Bondi Scandal
Q: What was Trump University?
A: Trump University was a real estate education company founded by Donald Trump. It faced numerous allegations of fraud and deceptive practices, leading to lawsuits and investigations.
Q: Why was the $25,000 donation illegal?
A: The donation was illegal because the Trump Foundation, as a tax-exempt charitable organization, was prohibited from making political contributions.
Q: Did Pam Bondi investigate Trump University?
A: No, Pam Bondi’s office decided not to investigate Trump University despite numerous complaints. The timing of the donation from the Trump Foundation raised questions about whether the contribution influenced her decision.
Q: What was the outcome of the scandal?
A: The Trump Foundation was eventually shut down. While Trump admitted to the illegal donation, attributing it to clerical errors, no criminal charges were filed against him or Bondi in connection with the scandal. However, the incident remains a significant example of potential political corruption and the abuse of charitable foundations.
