Trump pays up: $2M to charities as fine for foundation abuse
Dec 11, 2019 15:32:12 #
(His corruption is everywhere to be found in his life and administration. He cares only for himself and money. Read his history if you dare to disagree. We see yet another abuse of power by the president.)
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is paying up after conceding that he used his charitable foundation at times as a personal piggy bank.
Trump has wired $2 million to pay a court-ordered fine for misusing the Trump Foundation in part to further his business interests and 2016 presidential run, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday. The money will be distributed to eight charities.
About $1.8 million left in the Trump Foundation’s bank account was also split among the nonprofits getting fine money, along with $11,525 that Trump paid back for spending foundation money on sports memorabilia and champagne at a charity gala.
New York state Judge Saliann Scarpulla imposed the penalty last month after Trump admitted to a series of abuses outlined in a lawsuit brought against him last year by James’ office.
“Charities are not a means to an end, which is why these damages speak to the president’s abuse of power and represent a victory for not-for-profits that follow the law,” James, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Funds have finally gone where they deserve — to eight credible charities.”
Trump sent the money in the past few weeks, but that development didn't become public until the sides formally agreed Tuesday to close the case.
James’ office had sought to block Trump from writing off the fine payment as a charitable donation on his taxes, but Scarpulla hasn't ruled on that request.
Trump Foundation lawyer Alan Futerfas declined to answer questions about Trump’s tax plans.
In a statement, he suggested James was making a big deal about Trump’s payment to distract from bad news in another case: a judge’s ruling that there was no proof Exxon Mobil misled investors over the costs of climate change.
“The Foundation case settled weeks ago with all issues resolved and all funds going to charity," Futerfas said. "We are very pleased with the result."
After Scarpulla’s ruling last month, Trump assailed a series of Democratic attorneys general of New York who were involved with the suit, calling it “4 years of politically motivated harassment” and saying they should have spent their time investigating the Clinton Foundation.
Trump acknowledged in a legal filing that he allowed his presidential campaign staff to coordinate with the Trump Foundation in holding a fundraiser for veterans during the run-up to the 2016 Iowa caucuses. Scarpulla said the event was designed “to further Mr. Trump's political campaign.”
The president admitted, among other things, to arranging for the charity to pay $10,000 for a 6-foot portrait of him. He has also accepted restrictions on his involvement in other charitable organizations.
The settlement was an about-face for Trump. He had tweeted, "I won't settle this case!" when it was filed in June 2018.
Trump's fine and the charity's funds will be split evenly among eight organizations, including Citymeals on Wheels, the United Negro College Fund and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Each charity is getting about $476,000.
Charities are barred from getting involved in political campaigns, but in weighing the Iowa fundraiser, Scarpulla gave Trump credit for making good on his pledge to give $2.8 million that his charity raised to veterans' organizations.
Instead of fining him that amount, as the attorney general's office wanted, the judge trimmed it to $2 million and rejected a demand for punitive damages and interest.
At the time of the Iowa fundraiser, Trump was feuding with then-Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and refusing to participate in the network's final Republican presidential primary debate before the Iowa caucuses.
Instead, he held a rally at the same time as the debate at which he called on people to donate to veterans' charities. The foundation acted as a pass-through for those contributions.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-pays-2m-charities-fine-215142812.html
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is paying up after conceding that he used his charitable foundation at times as a personal piggy bank.
Trump has wired $2 million to pay a court-ordered fine for misusing the Trump Foundation in part to further his business interests and 2016 presidential run, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday. The money will be distributed to eight charities.
About $1.8 million left in the Trump Foundation’s bank account was also split among the nonprofits getting fine money, along with $11,525 that Trump paid back for spending foundation money on sports memorabilia and champagne at a charity gala.
New York state Judge Saliann Scarpulla imposed the penalty last month after Trump admitted to a series of abuses outlined in a lawsuit brought against him last year by James’ office.
“Charities are not a means to an end, which is why these damages speak to the president’s abuse of power and represent a victory for not-for-profits that follow the law,” James, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Funds have finally gone where they deserve — to eight credible charities.”
Trump sent the money in the past few weeks, but that development didn't become public until the sides formally agreed Tuesday to close the case.
James’ office had sought to block Trump from writing off the fine payment as a charitable donation on his taxes, but Scarpulla hasn't ruled on that request.
Trump Foundation lawyer Alan Futerfas declined to answer questions about Trump’s tax plans.
In a statement, he suggested James was making a big deal about Trump’s payment to distract from bad news in another case: a judge’s ruling that there was no proof Exxon Mobil misled investors over the costs of climate change.
“The Foundation case settled weeks ago with all issues resolved and all funds going to charity," Futerfas said. "We are very pleased with the result."
After Scarpulla’s ruling last month, Trump assailed a series of Democratic attorneys general of New York who were involved with the suit, calling it “4 years of politically motivated harassment” and saying they should have spent their time investigating the Clinton Foundation.
Trump acknowledged in a legal filing that he allowed his presidential campaign staff to coordinate with the Trump Foundation in holding a fundraiser for veterans during the run-up to the 2016 Iowa caucuses. Scarpulla said the event was designed “to further Mr. Trump's political campaign.”
The president admitted, among other things, to arranging for the charity to pay $10,000 for a 6-foot portrait of him. He has also accepted restrictions on his involvement in other charitable organizations.
The settlement was an about-face for Trump. He had tweeted, "I won't settle this case!" when it was filed in June 2018.
Trump's fine and the charity's funds will be split evenly among eight organizations, including Citymeals on Wheels, the United Negro College Fund and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Each charity is getting about $476,000.
Charities are barred from getting involved in political campaigns, but in weighing the Iowa fundraiser, Scarpulla gave Trump credit for making good on his pledge to give $2.8 million that his charity raised to veterans' organizations.
Instead of fining him that amount, as the attorney general's office wanted, the judge trimmed it to $2 million and rejected a demand for punitive damages and interest.
At the time of the Iowa fundraiser, Trump was feuding with then-Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and refusing to participate in the network's final Republican presidential primary debate before the Iowa caucuses.
Instead, he held a rally at the same time as the debate at which he called on people to donate to veterans' charities. The foundation acted as a pass-through for those contributions.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-pays-2m-charities-fine-215142812.html
Dec 11, 2019 15:45:03 #
rumitoid wrote:
(His corruption is everywhere to be found in his l... (show quote)
Yea......this is old already, been hashed out here weeks ago.....lets move on.
Dec 11, 2019 16:06:33 #
Weewillynobeerspilly wrote:
Yea......this is old already, been hashed out here weeks ago.....lets move on.
All fake new!
Dec 11, 2019 18:04:13 #
Hug wrote:
All fake new!
You are thoroughly embarrassing yourself with that comment, undermining any complaint of fake new[s]. It is public record, from Trump's own mouth.
Dec 11, 2019 18:10:23 #
[quote=rumitoid]You are thoroughly embarrassing yourself with that comment, undermining any complaint of fake new[s]. It is public record, from Trump's own mouth.[/quote]
All Fake, Democrat bedtime story.
All Fake, Democrat bedtime story.
Dec 11, 2019 18:25:20 #
Hug wrote:
All Fake, Democrat bedtime story.
If you actually believe that, you belong in the past, Germany 1939.
Dec 11, 2019 18:30:39 #
rumitoid wrote:
If you actually believe that, you belong in the past, Germany 1939.
I spent some time in Germany with the 11th Airborne Division. Germany is not all bad. Met some very nice folks.
Dec 11, 2019 19:30:28 #
rumitoid wrote:
If you actually believe that, you belong in the past, Germany 1939.
And.....with that comment you are embarrasing yourself.......quit it with the Nazi crap, it was old 3 years ago.....ain't any fresher today ol feller
Dec 11, 2019 20:12:29 #
Weewillynobeerspilly wrote:
And.....with that comment you are embarrasing yourself.......quit it with the Nazi crap, it was old 3 years ago.....ain't any fresher today ol feller
I think trump skimming money from Saint Judes children cancer hospital is a better read for his real generosity... the man is scum...
Dec 11, 2019 20:15:07 #
emarine wrote:
I think trump skimming money from Saint Judes children cancer hospital is a better read for his real generosity... the man is scum...
More Fake News. Democrat bedtime story.
Dec 11, 2019 20:23:48 #
Hug wrote:
More Fake News. Democrat bedtime story.
Yep that's why they shut him down & fined him 2 mill... go to bed serf...
Dec 11, 2019 20:45:46 #
emarine wrote:
Yep that's why they shut him down & fined him 2 mill... go to bed serf...
Ha, Ha, Ha, democrats always resort to insults when their fake news is challenged. Have a good evening.
Dec 11, 2019 20:50:19 #
Hug wrote:
Ha, Ha, Ha, democrats always resort to insults when their fake news is challenged. Have a good evening.
Insult... I was being nice...
Dec 11, 2019 20:52:55 #
emarine wrote:
Insult... I was being nice...
Please accept my apology. I read it wrong. Again, have a nice evening. I do need to go to bed.
Dec 12, 2019 20:25:17 #
emarine wrote:
I think trump skimming money from Saint Judes children cancer hospital is a better read for his real generosity... the man is scum...
You are so right. What is astonishing is he still gets fervent support.
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