President Trump Has to Pay $2M for Misusing His Charity

He reportedly admitted to using some of his foundation’s funds on sports memorabilia and champagne at a charity gala.

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A judge from the president’s home state of New York ordered Donald Trump to pay $2 million to charities for the misuse of his charitable foundation.

The order came after a lawsuit accusing the president and his three oldest children (Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump) of abusing the Trump Foundation’s tax-exempt status and violating campaign finance laws.

The lawsuit alleges the Trumps used their foundation "as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump's business and political interests."

State Justice Saliann Scarpulla, who filed the decision, said "Mr. Trump breached his fiduciary duty to the Foundation." In addition to passing money through his non-profit for a veteran fundraiser that his presidential campaign staff planned, Trump also misused his foundation’s funds on sports memorabilia and champagne at a charity gala, Politico reported.

Last year, Trump tweeted: "I won't settle this case!" and one of his attorneys, Alan Futerfas, attacked the lawsuit as “politically motivated.” The Trump Foundation dissolved last December.

Reports indicate the nonprofits approved to receive Trump's $2 million include: the Army Emergency Relief, Children's Aid Society, City Meals-on-Wheels, Give an Hour, Martha's Table, United Negro College Fund, United Way of the National Capital Area, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. They will also receive equal portions of the charity's remaining liquid assets (estimated to be around $1.8 million).

AG Letitia James called the ruling a “win for New Yorkers and Americans.”