GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's foundation is being investigated by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, reportedPolitico. A source close to the matter told Politico Schneiderman "has opened an inquiry into the Trump Foundation based on troubling transactions that have recently come to light."
On Tuesday, Schneiderman told CNN's The Lead that the Donald J. Trump Foundation investigation was to "make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York." "My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state. And we have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman said. "And we've inquired into it and we've had correspondence with them. I didn't make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference." One of those letters of correspondence from the Attorney General's office to the Trump Foundation was shared by NBC's Katy Tur.
Source close to the inquiry confirms NY AG is looking into Trump Foundation. First Q was about the Bondi donation. pic.twitter.com/M936PfC2WI
Politico noted the Trump Foundation made an illegal donation in 2013 when it contributed to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as she was deliberating whether to pursue a fraud case against Trump University along with Schneiderman. Bondi ultimately did not move forward with an investigation, saying Trump's donation didn't influence the decision, reported Politico. Likewise Trump said the donation didn't play a factor. Trump did however pay a fine for making a political donation through a charitable foundation. A Washington Post story recently revealed Trump's foundation hadn't received a donation from its namesake since 2008, according to tax records. The story also alleged Trump had used money "earmarked" for charity to buy a life-size $20,000 painting of himself.
Should the allegation be true, it wouldn't be the first time Trump has used money for his own benefit. Trump previously used $55,000 of campaign donations to buy his bookCrippled America: How to Make America Great Again as gifts for Republican National Convention.
Trump's campaign didn't immediately respond to Complex's request for comment.
