New York Attorney General Sends Notice Of Violation To Donald Trump Foundation

Donald Trump's charitable foundation solicited donations in New York state without the proper certification, a violation of state law, the state attorney general's office said in a letter sent to the Donald J. Trump Foundation. The letter, sent Friday and posted online by Eric Schneiderman's office Monday, demands that the foundation "immediately cease soliciting contributions or engaging in any other fundraising activities in New York."

The certification — Article 7-A of New York state law — is required for any organization in New York to ask for donations from the public. The Washington Post first reported on the foundation's lack of certification Thursday, despite Trump, the GOP presidential nominee and foundation's president, asking for donations online, at rallies and on the campaign trail.

"While we remain very concerned about the political motives behind AG Schneiderman's investigation, the Trump Foundation nevertheless intends to cooperate fully with the investigation," Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement. "Because this is an ongoing legal matter, the Trump Foundation will not comment further at this time."

Schneiderman, a Democrat and vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton, had confirmed two months ago that his office was investigating whether the foundation broke laws when it made a $25,000 donation to a group supporting the Florida attorney general's reelection bid, just as her office was deciding whether or not to press charges against Trump University. (No charges were ever filed, and the Trump Foundation paid a voluntary IRS penalty for the donation.)

Last week, Schneiderman's office reached out to the Palm Beach, Florida, town attorney in connection with a settlement Trump made with the town that was reportedly paid by his charitable foundation.

Trump has not personally donated to his charity since 2008, the Post's reporting shows.

The notice continues what was a horrible last week for Trump, in which he was widely panned for his debate performance against Clinton, feuded with a former Miss Universe over her weight gain, suggested Hillary Clinton was unfaithful to her husband and saw his tax returns leaked by the New York Times, showing that he lost nearly $1 billion in 1995 and may not have paid federal income tax for 18 years.

You can read the notice in full below:

Image: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, via Department of Defense