Florida’s anti-gay attorney general Pam Bondi has denied all wrongdoing, after accepting an illegal donation from Donald Trump while considering a lawsuit against Trump University.
Advertisement
Around the time of the donation, Bondi was considering joining other states in an investigation into Trump University – she ultimately decided not to join, though her office had reviewed some consumer complaints about the university.
Addressing the news media before the start of a state Cabinet meeting, Bondi contended only a single complaint had been filed by a Floridian against the Trump educational company between the time she took office in 2011 and the time of the donation.
The Washington Post reported that Trump’s foundation did not list a donation to the group backing Bondi in its 2013 tax filings.
Bondi said that she was unaware that her office had been asked about the NY lawsuit until a Florida columnist highlighted the case and the donation from Trump in October 2013. “If I had returned it you would have reported ‘Bondi accepted a bribe, got caught and returned it.’ That’s how the reporting goes”, Bondi said.
Bondi personally asked Trump for money and got a $25,000 check for her political organization three years ago.
The $25,000 contribution was made just one month after a lawsuit was filed against Trump University.
Bondi, a Republican who has two years remaining in her term and has not announced future political plans, has been in the middle of a national media firestorm about the contribution.
Bondi said the only thing she wishes she had done was addressed the issues earlier and clear up allegations against her that she said were wrong. “There was not an investigation into Donald Trump”.
Bondi, who personally solicited the donation, said she had known Trump before becoming attorney general in 2011, possibly meeting in NY while making regular guest appearances on Fox News and that they may have crossed paths because of a murder case she was prosecuting.
Bondi’s campaign did try to return the money because it came from his charity, which could have been a violation of rules surrounding political committees and charities.
Even after questions were raised about the propriety of her taking money from Trump, she still welcomed the billionaire businessman’s support.
Trump, who has an estate in Palm Beach, has made similar statements that he sought nothing from Bondi.
Records show that Bondi’s re-election campaign received 24 checks totaling $57,000 on the date of the Trump fundraiser.
Stay on topic – This helps keep the thread focused on the discussion at hand.
Advertisement
Share with Us – We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article, and smart, constructive criticism.
