NY attorney general: Evidence shows Trump misused charity for presidential campaign

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) said in a filing Thursday that President Trump misused his charitable foundation to assist his 2016 campaign, The Associated Press reported.

James is suing the Trump Foundation for $2.8 million in restitution and seeking an order banning the president and his three eldest children from running any charities in the state for 10 years.

{mosads}The lawsuit reportedly cites insider testimony and emails as part of its evidence.

The Trump Foundation shut down and distributed about $1.7 million in remaining funds to nonprofits in December in a court-supervised process.

That agreement did not resolve the state’s outstanding suit about misuse of the organization.

The suit reportedly argues the foundation broke rules barring charities from getting involved in political campaigns in the run-up to the 2016 Iowa caucus. 

At a rally around that time, Trump called for supporters to donate to veterans’ charities. The suit alleges the foundation acted as a pass-through for people who heeded his call for donations.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the lawsuit.