A New York judge has ordered Donald Trump to pay $2m in damages for illegally using funds from his charitable foundation to boost his 2016 presidential campaign. The ruling, part of a settlement with the New York attorney general's office, found that Trump breached his fiduciary duty by using the foundation as a 'checkbook' for political and business interests.
The lawsuit, filed last year, alleged that Trump and his three eldest children violated campaign finance laws by coordinating with the Trump campaign and engaging in self-dealing. Trump admitted to misusing funds, including spending $10,000 on a portrait of himself and $11,525 on sports memorabilia and champagne at a charity gala.
Justice Saliann Scarpulla approved the settlement, which also requires the closure of the Trump Foundation and distribution of its remaining $1.78m in assets, plus the $2m fine, to eight charities. The judge declined a request to ban the Trump family from serving on non-profit boards in New York.
New York Attorney General Letitia James hailed the decision as a victory, stating, 'No one is above the law, not a businessman, not a candidate for office, and not even the president of the United States.' Trump, however, defended his actions on Twitter, accusing the attorney general of political motivation.
