The Trump Foundation, a charitable organization established by former President Donald Trump, became embroiled in a significant scandal involving illegal political contributions and subsequent attempts to conceal the wrongdoing. This timeline meticulously details the events surrounding the illegal $25,000 donation to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s political group, And Justice for All, in 2013, and the ensuing investigations and legal actions. The scandal unfolded against a backdrop of complaints against Trump University and raised serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of charitable funds.
The Early Complaints Against Trump University
The saga begins long before the illegal donation, with a series of complaints lodged against Trump University.
Mounting Complaints in Florida (2008-2011)
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 related entities. These complaints alleged various fraudulent and deceptive practices. This early wave of complaints would later become a crucial element in the unfolding scandal, highlighting a potential conflict of interest for Attorney General Bondi.
New York Lawsuit (2013)
The situation escalated in August 2013 when 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 further intensified scrutiny of Trump University’s business practices and brought the issue to national attention.
Florida’s Response (2013)
Following the New York lawsuit, the Florida OAG initially indicated that they were reviewing the allegations. The Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post reported in September 2013 that the OAG was actively assessing the situation. However, the OAG’s subsequent actions would contradict these initial statements and become a central point of controversy.
The Illegal Donation and its Aftermath
The core of the scandal revolves around a $25,000 donation made by the Trump Foundation to Pam Bondi’s political group.
The $25,000 Donation (September 2013)
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 reelection campaign. This donation was illegal under federal law, as charitable foundations like the Trump Foundation are prohibited from engaging in political activities. Furthermore, the contribution was personally solicited by Bondi from Trump, raising concerns about a quid pro quo arrangement.
Denying an Investigation (October 2013)
Just weeks after the donation, the OAG publicly stated that there was no investigation into Trump University, despite having previously acknowledged receiving numerous complaints. Documents obtained through a public records request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) revealed that the OAG downplayed the number of complaints received, claiming there was only one. This discrepancy between their public statements and internal records fueled suspicions of a cover-up.
Falsifying Tax Records (2014)
In its 2013 tax filings, the Trump Foundation falsely claimed it made no donations to political entities. To further conceal the illegal contribution, the Foundation replaced And Justice for All with a similarly named group in Kansas, to which they could legally donate. This deliberate falsification of tax records added another layer of illegality to the unfolding scandal.
CREW’s Investigation and Legal Action
CREW played a pivotal role in uncovering and exposing the Trump Foundation scandal.
CREW Files Complaint (March 2016)
In March 2016, CREW filed a complaint against the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation to And Justice for All. This action brought the issue back into the public spotlight and triggered a series of admissions and denials from Trump’s representatives.
Trump Admits to Illegal Donation (March 2016)
Shortly after CREW’s complaint, Trump representatives admitted to the illegal donation, attributing it to a series of clerical errors. This explanation was met with skepticism, given the apparent efforts to conceal the donation and downplay the complaints against Trump University.
Further Investigation and Complaints (2016)
CREW continued its investigation into the Trump Foundation, uncovering further evidence of wrongdoing. They filed additional complaints with the IRS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant authorities, alleging bribery, self-dealing, and other violations of federal law. CREW’s relentless pursuit of the truth played a crucial role in exposing the extent of the Trump Foundation’s illegal activities.
The Fallout and Closure of the Trump Foundation
The mounting evidence of wrongdoing ultimately led to the closure of the Trump Foundation.
Trump Announces Foundation Closure (December 2016)
Amid growing public scrutiny and legal pressure, Donald Trump announced in December 2016 that he would shut down the Trump Foundation. This decision came after years of questionable practices and illegal activities, culminating in the scandal surrounding the donation to Pam Bondi’s political group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main issue with the Trump Foundation donation?
The primary issue was that the donation itself was illegal. Charitable foundations are prohibited from making political contributions, and the Trump Foundation violated this law by donating to a political group supporting Pam Bondi.
Was Pam Bondi aware of the complaints against Trump University?
Bondi claimed she was unaware of the numerous complaints against Trump University when she solicited the donation from Trump. However, the timing of the donation and the subsequent downplaying of the complaints by her office raised suspicions of a quid pro quo arrangement.
What role did CREW play in the scandal?
CREW played a crucial role in uncovering and exposing the Trump Foundation’s illegal activities. Their investigation and subsequent legal actions brought the scandal to light and ultimately contributed to the foundation’s closure.
What happened to the Trump Foundation after the scandal?
The Trump Foundation was shut down in December 2016 following the mounting evidence of wrongdoing and legal pressure.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts and questions about the Trump Foundation scandal in the comments below. Your insights and perspectives are valuable to our community.
