Donald Trump foundation sued by New York
State attorney general says the foundation is ‘little more than a chequebook’
The New York attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Donald J Trump charitable foundation, as well as Donald Trump himself and three of his children, claiming he violated state charity and federal election laws.
It alleges that “the Trumps used charitable assets as ‘little more than a chequebook for payments to not-for-profits from Mr Trump’ and his companies”, The Guardian reports.
Other allegations include the claim that Trump Foundation funds and assets were used to pay for a painting of Donald Trump to be hung at one of his golf clubs, and that other assets were used to settle legal claims against another of Trump’s clubs.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The foundation is little more than an empty shell that functions with no oversight from its board of directors,” the lawsuit alleges. “Trump ran the foundation according to whim, rather than law.”
Barbara Underwood, the state attorney general, is “asking a court to dissolve the Trump Foundation and wants $2.8 million in restitution, plus additional penalties”, CNN reports.
The lawsuit is also seeking to ban Trump from serving as a director of any New York not-for-profit for ten years, and a one-year ban for Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump.
The president has dismissed the claims made in the lawsuit as the work of “sleazy New York Democrats”, and has vowed not to pay the restitution or settle the lawsuit out of court.
But the New York attorney general has “significant investigatory and prosecutorial power”, says the BBC. “There’s no telling what she might turn up” if she begins looking deeper into Trump’s “more questionable charitable activities”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
National Enquirer helped Trump in 2016, ex-boss says
Speed Read David Pecker says the tabloid published fabricated content to hurt Trump's rivals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sitting in judgment on Trump
Opinion Who'd want to be on this jury?
By Susan Caskie Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published