The Trump Foundation, once touted as a philanthropic organization, became embroiled in a major scandal in 2016, raising serious questions about its operations and legality. The scandal centered around an illegal $25,000 donation to a political group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, coinciding with Bondi’s office considering legal action against Trump University. This timeline details the key events that unfolded, revealing a complex web of political maneuvering and potential corruption. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) played a crucial role in uncovering the truth and holding those involved accountable. The scandal ultimately led to investigations, complaints, and the eventual shutdown of the Trump Foundation.
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The Timeline of the Trump Foundation Scandal
This timeline chronicles the key events that brought the Trump Foundation scandal to light:
Early Complaints Against Trump University (2008-2013)
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 other related entities. These complaints foreshadowed the legal challenges that would later emerge. 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 for “engaging in persistent fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct.” Following the lawsuit, the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post reported in September 2013 that the Florida OAG was reviewing the allegations made in the New York lawsuit.
The Illegal Donation and Cover-Up (2013)
On September 17, 2013, the Donald J. Trump Foundation made a $25,000 contribution to And Justice for All, a political group supporting Pam Bondi’s reelection campaign. This donation was illegal for a 501(c)(3) private foundation to make and was personally solicited by Bondi from Trump. Just weeks later, in October 2013, the OAG told reporters that it had not considered joining the New York lawsuit and was not currently investigating Trump University, despite having received numerous complaints. Internal emails later revealed that OAG employees had deliberately downplayed the number of complaints against Trump entities to claim there was only one. The Tampa Bay Times confirmed in October 2013 that And Justice for All had received the contribution from the Trump Foundation.
The Trump Foundation’s False Reporting (2014)
In its 2013 tax filings, the Trump Foundation falsely claimed that it had made no donations to political entities. The Foundation further obscured the illegal donation by replacing And Justice for All with a different, similarly-named organization in Kansas, to which a donation would have been legally permissible. This attempted cover-up would later become a key element of the scandal.
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CREW’s Investigation and Complaints (2016)
In March 2016, CREW filed a complaint against the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation. Trump representatives admitted to the illegal donation, attributing it to a series of clerical errors. In May 2016, CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder wrote an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times summarizing some of the troubling findings in the Trump Foundation’s 990 forms. In June 2016, Bondi denied any knowledge of the complaints against Trump entities at the time she solicited the donation. CREW filed complaints against Bondi with the Inspector General for Florida’s Office of the Attorney General and the state’s Commission on Ethics in July 2016.
Escalating Investigations and Further Complaints (2016)
In August 2016, CREW filed an IRS complaint against the Trump Foundation for potentially using the Foundation as a prop for the Trump campaign. The following month, The Washington Post reported on a $2,500 IRS penalty paid by the Foundation for the illegal donation, bringing the scandal into the national spotlight. CREW followed up with a second IRS complaint against Donald Trump and the Trump Foundation in September 2016, alleging the donation was used to provide a private benefit to Trump. CREW then filed criminal bribery complaints against Trump and Bondi with the Department of Justice and called for a criminal investigation into the Trump Foundation’s potentially false IRS reports.
FOIL Request and Further Revelations (2016)
In September 2016, CREW filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the New York Attorney General for Trump Foundation tax documents. In October 2016, CREW’s analysis of the obtained documents revealed further irregularities and inconsistencies in the Foundation’s attempts to address its tax issues related to the Bondi donation.
The Trump Foundation Shuts Down (2016)
In December 2016, amid the escalating scandal and investigations, Trump announced the closure of the Trump Foundation.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Trump Foundation Scandal
The Trump Foundation scandal highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable organizations and the potential for abuse when these organizations become entangled with political interests. CREW’s persistent investigation played a crucial role in bringing this scandal to light and ultimately led to the Foundation’s closure. The scandal raises enduring questions about the intersection of money and politics, and the ethical responsibilities of those in positions of power.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Trump Foundation Scandal
Q: What was the main issue with the Trump Foundation donation?
A: The primary issue was the illegality of the $25,000 donation made by the Trump Foundation, a charitable organization, to a political group supporting Pam Bondi. Charitable foundations are prohibited from engaging in political activities.
Q: What was the connection to Trump University?
A: The timing of the donation raised concerns about a potential quid pro quo. Bondi’s office was considering joining a lawsuit against Trump University at the time she solicited and received the donation.
Q: What was CREW’s role in the scandal?
A: CREW played a crucial role in uncovering the illegal donation, filing complaints with various authorities, and pushing for investigations into the Trump Foundation’s activities.
Q: What was the outcome of the scandal?
A: The scandal resulted in multiple investigations, fines, and ultimately, the shutdown of the Trump Foundation. It also raised serious ethical questions about the Trump organization’s practices.
We encourage readers to share their questions and insights in the comments below. Your engagement helps us continue to explore critical issues of ethics and accountability.
