The Scottish Government is facing a Legal Challenge by a Human Rights Group requesting a Judicial Review of Parliament's Refusal to Investigate Trump's All-Cash Purchases of Two Golf Courses.
Avaaz, an International Nonprofit Organization focused on Issues such as Human Rights and Climate Change, filed a Petition, on Monday, in Scotland's Highest Civil Court, in hopes of Reviving an effort in Forcing Trump to Disclose how he Financed Two Courses he bought in 2005 and 2014. Avaaz's Petition, filed Monday, with Scotland's Government, cites the New York State Attorney General's Announcement, last week, that her Investigation into Trump's Finances has gone from Civil to Criminal.
“If Trump can't explain the source of the money, then the Scottish government has the responsibility to take action," said Nick Flynn, Legal Director at Avaaz.
The Petition zeroes in on Trump's Purchases of Two Scottish Courses, in which he spent more than $300 Million in Cash to Purchase and Develop them, though neither has reportedly turned a Profit.
In 2006, Trump bought 1,000 acres in Aberdeenshire for over $10 Million and spent $60 Million Building a Golf Course, a Small Hotel, and several Holiday Cottages, according to Company Filings with the United Kingdom's Corporate Registry.
He bought the Turnberry Golf Course in 2014 for $60 Million. Turnberry is a Luxurious Seaside Course that has Hosted Europe's Sole Golf Major, the Open, Four Times, but will be by-passed in 2021.
Trump also Purchased Five other Golf Properties outside Scotland using only Cash.
In February, the Scottish Parliament voted 89 to 32 Against the Motion to pursue an "unexplained wealth order" into Trump's Business Deals.
Scottish Ministers can Apply via the Court of Session for an Unexplained Wealth Order. The Orders can be Issued by the Courts to Compel their Target to Reveal the Source of Funding, and are often used to tackle Suspected International Money Laundering.
Opponents said the Matter should be Left in the Hands of Law Enforcement rather than a Political Body.
That same month, Eric Trump, Trump's Son and a Director of the Scottish Golf Courses, accused Scottish Politicians who Supported the Unexplained Wealth Order of "advancing their personal agendas," adding that the Trump Organization "made an overwhelming contribution to the leisure and tourism industry.”
Last year, a Private Review of Trump's Scottish Business and Tax Records showed, Trump Raised the Value of his Scottish Properties for Loans, but Lowered their Value for Tax Payments.
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