Trump says he will shut down controversial foundation

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday announced he was dissolving his controversial foundation, which claimed to raise money for charitable causes but has been accused of improperly using funds.

Trump said he was shutting the foundation “to avoid even the appearance of any conflict” with his role as president.

“I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways,” Trump said in a statement released Saturday evening from his Florida home.

The Donald J. Trump Foundation had been an important issue during the campaign, generating questions about how it raised and distributed money.

However, since Trump unexpectedly won the race, his business holdings have created more potential conflicts of interest and other controversies.

Trump has still not explained to the public how he will disentangle his myriad business interests from his duties as head of the U.S. government.

Already, questions have arisen about his investments in Russia, India, the Middle East and Latin America, and his apparent willingness to discuss deals with foreign officials at the same time he is preparing to take office.

The charitable foundation, meanwhile, is under investigation by the New York attorney general’s office, which in October ordered the charity to “cease and desist” from fundraising because it was in violation of state law.

The Washington Post reported this year that some of the funds raised by the charity were used to defend Trump’s forprofit businesses against lawsuits.