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Trump Foundation Never Properly Registered to Solicit Money, Report Says

Rachel StockmanSep 30th, 2016, 8:48 am
 

shutterstock_487546282More controversy for the Donald J. Trump Foundation. Another bombshell report by Washington Post reporter, David A. Fahrenthold, found that the Foundation lacks the certification necessary to solicit money. Here’s the problem. In New York, charities that solicit more than $25,000 a year from the public must get a special registration. The Foundation, according the public records, is registered as an “EPTL” (governed by Estates, Powers and Trust Law). That means they are not allowed to solicit donations from people within the State of New York. If they do, they must get a special kind of registration called a “7A.”

The Post found several examples of where the Foundation was soliciting money from people, most likely some of whom lived in New York. In fact, Fahrenthold claims he donated $10 himself to try to figure out where the money was going.

The Post explains that prior to the 2000’s, the Foundation was properly registered as is because it only accepted money from Donald Trump himself. However, when they started to take outside donations, experts contend they should have re-registered under the proper law.

“You wouldn’t expect somebody who’s supposed to be sophisticated, and brags about his business prowess, would run his foundation like this,” James Fishman, a professor at Pace University’s law school, told The Post. 

What could happen? Well, we know the New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is investigating the charity. There is a possibility that he could take action. Violations can result in a fine or request to change registration status. In very rare cases, individuals could face a criminal misdemeanor of false registration.

So far, the Trump campaign hasn’t commented on this report.

[image via Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock.com]

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Rachel Stockman is President of Law&Crime which includes Law&Crime Productions, Law&Crime Network and LawAndCrime.com. Under her watch, the company has grown from just a handful of people to a robust production company and network producing dozens of true crime shows a year in partnership with major networks. She also currently serves as Executive Producer of Court Cam, a hit show on A&E, and I Survived a Crime, a new crime show premiering on A&E this fall. She also oversees production of a new daily syndicated show Law&Crime Daily, which is produced in conjunction with Litton Entertainment. In addition to these shows, her network and production company produce programs for Facebook Watch, Cineflix and others. She has spent years covering courts and legal issues, and was named Atlanta Press Club's 'Rising Star' in 2014. Rachel graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and Yale Law School.

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