The Trump Foundation, a charitable organization founded by former President Donald Trump, became embroiled in a significant scandal involving illegal political contributions and questionable financial practices. This scandal, which unfolded over several years, raised serious concerns about conflicts of interest, campaign finance violations, and the misuse of charitable funds. This article provides a detailed timeline of the events, investigations, and legal actions surrounding the Trump Foundation scandal, focusing on the illegal donation to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and its subsequent fallout.
The Illegal Donation to Pam Bondi and Early Investigations
The heart of the Trump Foundation scandal revolves around a $25,000 donation made in September 2013 to And Justice for All, a political organization supporting Pam Bondi’s reelection campaign as Florida Attorney General. This contribution, solicited by Bondi herself, violated federal tax law prohibiting charitable foundations like the Trump Foundation from engaging in political activities. The timing of the donation raised immediate red flags, as Bondi’s office was then considering whether to join a multi-state investigation into Trump University, a for-profit real estate education company facing numerous fraud allegations.
February 2008 – May 2011: The Florida Office of the Attorney General (OAG) receives at least 22 complaints regarding Trump University, the Trump Institute, and related entities. These complaints allege deceptive business practices and fraudulent claims made by Trump University.
August 2013: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman files a lawsuit against Donald Trump, Trump University, and its former president for “persistent fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct.” This lawsuit significantly escalates the legal pressure on Trump University and brings the issue to national attention.
September 2013: The Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post report that the Florida OAG is reviewing the allegations made in the New York lawsuit. This suggests that Bondi’s office is considering joining the legal action against Trump University.
September 17, 2013: The Trump Foundation makes the $25,000 donation to And Justice for All. This illegal contribution occurs just days after Florida OAG’s public statements about reviewing the Trump University allegations.
October 2013: The Florida OAG tells reporters that it is not considering joining the New York lawsuit and that there is no active investigation into Trump University, citing only one consumer complaint received 2.5 years prior. Internal emails later reveal that OAG employees removed records of complaints related to Trump Institute and related entities, falsely reducing the number of complaints to one. The Tampa Bay Times reports that And Justice for All acknowledges receiving the contribution from the Trump Foundation.
CREW Investigation and Expanding Scandal
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonpartisan government watchdog organization, played a crucial role in uncovering and exposing the Trump Foundation scandal. CREW’s investigations, public records requests, and legal complaints brought the illegal donation and other questionable practices of the Trump Foundation to light.
January 2014: In its 2013 tax filings, the Trump Foundation falsely claims it made no donations to political entities and lists a different, similarly named organization in Kansas as the recipient of the $25,000 donation.
March 2016: CREW files a complaint against the Trump Foundation, alleging the illegal donation to And Justice for All. Trump representatives admit to the illegal donation, attributing it to clerical errors.
May-June 2016: CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder publishes an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times detailing troubling findings in the Trump Foundation’s tax forms. Bondi’s spokesperson claims that Bondi was unaware of the numerous complaints against Trump entities when she solicited the donation. Bondi herself denies any investigation into Trump University and claims she would never accept money in exchange for favorable treatment.
July 2016: CREW files complaints against Bondi with the Florida Inspector General and the state’s Commission on Ethics, alleging potential violations of law for failing to investigate Trump University after receiving the Trump Foundation donation.
August 2016: CREW files an IRS complaint against the Trump Foundation for acting as a prop for the Trump campaign, including payments to groups attending campaign rallies.
September 2016: The Washington Post reports a $2,500 IRS penalty paid by the Trump Foundation for the illegal donation to And Justice for All. This revelation further fuels the growing scandal. CREW files a second IRS complaint against Trump and the Trump Foundation, alleging the donation was used to provide a private benefit to Trump and his business interests. CREW also files criminal bribery complaints against Trump and Bondi with the Department of Justice and a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the New York Attorney General for Trump Foundation tax documents. Later in September, CREW files a third IRS complaint against Trump for repeatedly using the Trump Foundation for personal benefit.
October 2016: CREW’s FOIL request reveals serious errors in the Trump Foundation’s attempts to address the tax issues related to the Bondi donation and raises further questions about the Foundation’s operations.
December 2016: Amid mounting scrutiny and legal challenges, Trump announces that he will shut down the Trump Foundation.
Conclusion
The Trump Foundation scandal stands as a significant example of the potential for abuse and misuse of charitable organizations for political gain. The illegal donation to Pam Bondi, alongside other questionable financial practices, highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability within the Foundation. CREW’s diligent investigations and legal actions played a critical role in exposing the scandal and holding those involved accountable. This case underscores the importance of robust oversight and enforcement of regulations governing charitable organizations to ensure they serve their intended purpose and uphold public trust.
FAQ
Q: What was the primary violation committed by the Trump Foundation?
A: The primary violation was making an illegal $25,000 political contribution to a group supporting Pam Bondi’s reelection campaign. Charitable foundations are prohibited from engaging in political activities.
Q: Why was the timing of the donation suspicious?
A: The donation was made shortly after Bondi’s office publicly stated they were reviewing allegations against Trump University, raising concerns about a potential quid pro quo.
Q: What role did CREW play in the scandal?
A: CREW conducted investigations, filed complaints with various agencies, and issued public records requests that ultimately exposed the illegal donation and other questionable practices of the Trump Foundation.
Q: What was the outcome of the scandal?
A: Trump was forced to shut down the Trump Foundation. Further legal actions and investigations into the Foundation’s activities are ongoing. This scandal contributed significantly to public discourse regarding ethics and accountability during the 2016 presidential election.
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