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New York Is Suing The Trump Foundation Including The President And His Three Eldest Children

The New York attorney general alleges Ivanka, Donald Jr., Eric, and their father have been using the foundation as "little more than a checkbook for payments from Mr. Trump or his businesses to nonprofits, regardless of their purpose or legality."

www.buzzfeed.com|Talal Ansari

“For more than a decade, the Donald J. Trump foundation has operated in persistent violation of state and federal law governing New York State charities.”

The attorney general also sent referral letters to the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission for possible further action, adding to Mr. Trump’s extensive legal challenges.

- New York Times

Here are just a few of the allegations it makes, based on investigations by the attorney general’s office:

• Trump Foundation funds were illegally used to: pay off Trump’s legal obligations; promote Trump hotels and other businesses; and purchase personal items.
• The Trump Foundation “illegally provided extensive support to his 2016 presidential campaign.”
• The foundation raised “in excess of $2.8 million in a manner designed to influence the 2016 presidential election at the direction and under the control of senior leadership of the Trump presidential campaign.”
• One example: A Trump fundraiser in Iowa saw large donations to the Trump Foundation—but it was organized and directed by Trump’s presidential campaign. Brad Parscale, the campaign’s digital media director, created the Iowa fundraiser event website. Hope Hicks organized the speakers. Trump used the charitable donations for campaign trail stunts, performing giveaways of $100,000—complete with those huge lottery checks—at subsequent rallies.
• The foundation also “entered into at least five self-dealing transactions that were unlawful because they benefited Mr. Trump or businesses he controls.”
• In one case, it paid $158,000 to settle claims against the Trump National Golf Club