On Thursday, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a civil lawsuit against Donald Trump and his three eldest children for allegedly misusing funds associated with his personal foundation. The complaint, filed in New York state court, asks the judge to dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation and distribute its remaining $1 million in assets to other charities. Moreover, the lawsuit asks that Trump be forced to pay at least $2.8 million in restitution and penalties and takes the unusual step of requesting that Trump be banned from leading any other New York nonprofit organization for 10 years and that each of his three children be banned from serving as a director of a New York nonprofit organization for one year.
AG Underwood also sent letters to the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission asking the agencies to investigate “possible violations” of tax law and federal campaign law. New York apparently initiated its investigation into the foundation in response to an investigation by The Washington Post.
Trump responded to the lawsuit on Twitter, calling it politically motivated. This sentiment was echoed by a Trump spokesperson.
Additional reading:
New York files civil suit against President Trump, alleging his charity engaged in ‘illegal conduct,’ The Washington Post, June 14, 2018
Underwood v. Trump (petition filed in New York state court on June 14, 2018)
Attorney General Underwood Announces Lawsuit Against Donald J. Trump Foundation And Its Board Of Directors For Extensive And Persistent Violations Of State And Federal Law, New York Attorney General’s Office, June 14, 2018