President, foundation accused of illegalities

NEW YORK — New York’s attorney general sued President Donald Trump and his foundation Thursday, accusing him of illegally using the charity’s money to settle disputes involving his business empire and to promote his political fortunes during his run for the White House.

Trump blasted the case as politically motivated.

The lawsuit seeks $2.8 million in restitution, additional unspecified penalties and the dissolution of the foundation, which Trump already had pledged to dismantle.

The attorney general’s two-year investigation detailed what it said was a closely coordinated effort between Trump’s campaign and the foundation to burnish his political image by giving out big grants of other’s people money to veterans organizations during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, the first presidential nominating contest of 2016.

Spurning a Republican candidates’ debate on Jan. 28, 2016, Trump instead participated in a televised rally and fundraiser for veterans organizations. The event raised about $5.6 million, about $2.8 million of which went to the Trump Foundation; the rest was given directly by donors to veterans groups, the lawsuit says.

Then the foundation “ceded control” over the money to campaign staff members, the suit adds.

“The foundation’s grants made Mr. Trump and the campaign look charitable and increased the candidate’s profile to Republican primary voters and among important constituent groups,” Democratic Attorney General Barbara Underwood’s lawsuit says. Underwood