The intersection of politics and charity can be a murky one, and the case of Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, and the Donald J. Trump Foundation offers a compelling example. This timeline details the unfolding events surrounding an allegedly illegal campaign donation and its potential connection to a decision by Bondi’s office not to pursue legal action against Trump University. The story, unearthed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), raises serious questions about influence peddling and the potential abuse of charitable foundations for political gain.
CREW’s investigation revealed a $25,000 contribution from the Trump Foundation to a political group supporting Bondi’s reelection campaign. This contribution, made while Bondi’s office was considering whether to join a lawsuit against Trump University, sparked a firestorm of controversy and led to a series of investigations. Did Trump effectively buy Bondi’s silence? This detailed timeline explores the key events and raises critical questions about the integrity of both Trump and Bondi.
Trump pays Pam Bondi throws light on how Trump allegedly used his foundation to influence political figures.
The Timeline of the Pam Bondi and Trump Foundation Controversy
This chronological breakdown of events aims to provide a clear picture of the complex relationship between the Trump Foundation donation and the Florida Attorney General’s decision regarding Trump University.
Early Complaints Against Trump University (2008-2013)
From February 2008 to 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 fraudulent practices and misleading marketing tactics, painting a troubling picture of Trump’s educational ventures. In August 2013, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and Trump University, accusing them of “engaging in persistent fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct.” The lawsuit further fueled concerns about the legitimacy of Trump University’s operations.
The Controversial Donation and Bondi’s Decision (September-October 2013)
In September 2013, following the New York lawsuit, the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post reported that the Florida OAG was reviewing the allegations against Trump University. Just days later, on September 17, 2013, the Trump Foundation made a $25,000 contribution to “And Justice for All,” a political committee supporting Pam Bondi’s reelection campaign. The donation was reportedly solicited by Bondi herself.
Curiously, shortly after the donation, the Florida OAG publicly stated that there was no investigation into Trump University, citing only one consumer complaint. This contradicted previous statements acknowledging multiple complaints. Internal emails later revealed that OAG employees had actively removed complaints related to Trump Institute and related entities, reducing the official count to just one. The timing of these actions raised significant questions about Bondi’s impartiality and whether the Trump Foundation donation influenced her decision. When did Florida Pam Bondi get money from Trump? This article unravels the timing of the donation and its implications.
Covering Tracks and Further Investigations (2014-2016)
In its 2013 tax filings, the Trump Foundation falsely claimed it made no donations to political entities. It also replaced “And Justice for All” with a different, similarly-named group in Kansas, potentially attempting to obscure the illegal donation. 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 timing and circumstances of the donation continued to raise suspicions. You can learn more about this at Pam bondy trump bribe.
As the 2016 presidential election heated up, scrutiny of Trump’s business dealings intensified. In June 2016, Bondi’s spokesman claimed she was unaware of the numerous complaints against Trump entities when she solicited the donation. Bondi herself denied ever investigating Trump or his businesses, claiming she would “never take money” and was “devastated” by the accusations.
CREW, however, continued its investigation, filing 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. CREW also filed multiple IRS complaints against the Trump Foundation, alleging its use as a prop for Trump’s presidential campaign and for the illegal donation to Bondi’s political group, calling for an investigation into potential private benefit and self-dealing. For more details on whether Pam Bondi took legal action against Trump, you can visit did pam bondi sue trump.
The Unfolding Scandal and Trump Foundation’s Closure (September-December 2016)
In September 2016, The Washington Post uncovered a $2,500 IRS penalty paid by the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation, propelling the story into the national spotlight. CREW continued to press for investigations, filing additional IRS complaints and a Freedom of Information Law request with the New York Attorney General for Trump Foundation tax documents. Further investigation revealed that the Foundation’s attempts to address its tax issues contained serious errors and raised further questions about its operations.
Facing mounting pressure and scrutiny, Trump announced in December 2016 that he would shut down the Trump Foundation. The announcement, however, did little to quell the controversy surrounding the Foundation’s activities and the alleged quid pro quo between Trump and Bondi. For information on Trump’s campaign donation to Pam Bondi, see pam bondi trump campaign donation.
Conclusion: Unanswered Questions and Lingering Concerns
The timeline of events surrounding the Trump Foundation donation to Pam Bondi’s political group paints a picture of potential corruption and abuse of power. While the Trump Foundation ultimately closed, the questions about the influence of money in politics and the potential for misuse of charitable organizations remain. This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in both the political and charitable sectors.
FAQ
- What was the purpose of the Trump Foundation donation to Pam Bondi’s political group? The exact purpose remains unclear, but the timing raises questions about whether it was intended to influence Bondi’s decision regarding Trump University.
- Did Pam Bondi violate any laws by accepting the donation and not pursuing legal action against Trump University? While CREW filed complaints alleging ethical and legal violations, no formal charges were brought against Bondi.
- What was the ultimate outcome of the investigations into the Trump Foundation? The Trump Foundation was eventually shut down, but many questions about its operations remain unanswered.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and ask any further questions you may have about this complex case. Public discourse is essential to ensuring accountability and preventing similar instances of potential corruption in the future.
