New York State Attorney General (AG) Eric Schneiderman is looking into Allegations of Self-Dealing by the Eric Trump Foundation that were raised by a recent Forbes Report.
Schneiderman was already investigating the Donald J. Trump Foundation for whether or not the President personally Benefited from the Fundraising efforts and Spending of the Foundation before the Inauguration.
"I can confirm that our office is looking into issues at the Eric Trump Foundation raised by the Forbes report," said Eric Soufer, the AG's Director of Communications.
Forbes reported this week that it appears the Eric Trump Foundation shifted some Money from a Benefit for Children with Cancer at St. Jude's Hospital into the Trump Organization, a move that could run afoul of Prohibitions against self-Dealing on the part of Charities.
Amanda Miller, a spokeswoman for the Eric Trump Foundation, said the group plans to cooperate with Schneiderman's review.
“During the past decade, the Eric Trump Foundation has raised over $16.3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including more than $3.6 million to St. Jude and other worthwhile causes just in 2016 alone," Miller said in a statement. "The Foundation intends to cooperate fully with the Attorney General's review, and looks forward to a productive and open dialogue with the Attorney General's Office to address any questions it may have."
In a previous statement to ABC News about the Forbes report, the Eric Trump Foundation pushed back against the allegations.
"Contrary to recent reports, at no time did the Trump Organization profit in any way from the foundation or any of its activities. While people can disagree on political issues, to infer malicious intent on a charity that has changed so many lives, is not only shameful but is truly disgusting. At the end of the day the only people who lose are the children of St. Jude and other incredibly worthy causes," the Foundation said.
BACKGROUND STORY
Trump's Charity Foundation Funneled $100,000 in Donations meant for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital into Revenue for the Trump Organization by using his Son's Charity.
For 10 years Eric Trump hosted an Annual Golf Tournament which raised millions of dollars in Donations for the Hospital. According to a Forbes Report, $100,000 of the Donations was funneled through the Eric Trump Foundation back into Trump's Golf Courses for Expenses incurred during the Tournaments, despite Donors being told that all their Donations would be used for Charity.
In addition, more than $500,000 of Donors' Donations over 10 years was Re-Donated to other Charities, including some that were connected to Trump Family Members. At least Four of those Organizations also used Trump Golf Courses for Charity Tournaments.
According to the report, President Trump himself gave the Order for the Trump Organization to begin Billing the Eric Trump Foundation for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If the report is true, the Practices would Violate both New York State Law and Federal Law on Self-Dealing and Misleading Donors. To date, Eric Trump has raised more than $11 million for St. Jude's Hospital.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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