New York sues Donald Trump and family, accusing charity of ‘illegal conduct’

President Donald Trump, his sons and daughter, were accused on Thursday of “persistently illegal conduct” at their family foundation, in a lawsuit alleging Trump misused charity funds to finance everything from his election campaign to a portrait of himself.

The suit filed by New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood accuses the Donald J. Trump foundation of “extensive unlawful political coordination” with the Republican’s 2016 campaign, and “repeated and wilful self-dealing transactions to benefit Mr Trump’s personal and business interests”, violating laws governing charities and foundations.

According to the suit, the property tycoon used foundation funds to settle lawsuits, promote his Trump-branded hotels, and for personal spending – including the purchase of a portrait that was then mounted on the wall at one of his golf clubs.

But while it carries the threat of multimillion dollar financial penalties and the closure of the charity, the New York suit is unlikely to lead to criminal charges.

Trump branded the lawsuit a “ridiculous case” drummed up by “sleazy New York Democrats” and indicated he will fight it.

He accused prosecutors of “doing everything they can to sue me on a foundation that took in US$18,800,000 and gave out to charity more money than it took in, US$19,200,000”.

“I won’t settle this case!” he said.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that Underwood was “outrageously biased” and accused Underwood’s predecessor – Eric Schneiderman, who resigned last month – of being a long-time Trump antagonist.

The suit names the president, sons Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump, and daughter Ivanka Trump, who were on the board of the foundation.

It seeks restitution of US$2.8 million and the shutdown of the foundation, as well as a 10-year ban on Trump serving on the board of any other New York charity. A one-year ban is sought for his three children.

It also recommends the Internal Revenue Service investigate the foundation – which provides Trump with an avenue for tax write-offs – over tax violations, and that the Federal Elections Commission examine the case for breaches of campaign law.

“As our investigation reveals, the Trump Foundation was little more than a chequebook for payments from Mr Trump or his businesses to non-profit, regardless of their purpose or legality,” said Underwood. “This is not how private foundations should function and my office intends to hold the foundation and its directors accountable for its misuse of charitable assets.”

The lawsuit paints a picture of habitual misuse of foundation funds for years, signed off on by Trump, who was president of the thinly-staffed charity.

That included a January 2016 charity event which the Trump campaign, using the foundation, put on for veterans. About half the money raised, US$2.8 million, was directed by campaign staff – not foundation staff – to be moved through the foundation to boost Trump’s image.

Other alleged abuses included providing foundation funds to a Florida political campaign; settling a 2007 lawsuit between the City of Palm Beach and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, and settling a lawsuit by a golfer who took part in a Trump-sponsored charity event in 2012.

There was so little oversight of the foundation, the suit claims, that its board has not met since 1999, despite legal requirements for an annual meeting to review the foundation’s finances.

In a statement, the Trump Foundation defended its activities and said it had planned to wind up after Trump’s election, but was held up by the New York probe.

“Virtually every dollar donated to the foundation went to worthy causes, and helped any number of the most vulnerable among our citizens,” it said.