Veterans Day 2019

[mellowtigger]

I still have a headache, mild joint ache, and mild temp, so I'm not really in the mood for a holiday.

Instead, let's sit back and ponder the fact that this Republican president took control over $2.8 million intended for a veterans charity.  It would be fair (sort of) to say that he stole the money, but more accurately the Trump Foundation just collected the money and then failed to hand it over to the intended charity for distribution by them.  Because handing out money gathers positive attention, and Trump has to have all of the attention.  At least, that's the most charitable interpretation of what happened.

"The dispute centers on $2.8 million raised by the Trump Foundation at an Iowa fundraiser for military veterans during the 2016 campaign cycle.  Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla ruled Thursday that the money was used for Trump’s campaign and disbursed by his campaign staff rather than by the charity itself.  “A review of the record, including the factual admissions in the Final Stipulation, establishes that Mr. Trump breached his fiduciary duty to the Foundation and that waste occurred to the Foundation,” Scarpulla wrote in the order.  “Mr. Trump’s fiduciary duty breaches included allowing his campaign to orchestrate the Fundraiser, allowing his campaign, instead of the Foundation, to direct distribution of the Funds, and using the Fundraiser and distribution of the Funds to further Mr. Trump’s political campaign,” the judge wrote."
- https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/469462-trump-ordered-to-pay-2m-in-settlement-over-trump-foundation-lawsuit

He eventually dispersed some of the cash appropriately, so the judge didn't order the full $2.8 million repaid in the settlement, just $2 million.  I am curious, though, what happened to that charity money during the intervening time.

"As part of the settlement, Trump agreed to reimburse the foundation for more than $11,000 in payments of auction items at a charitable benefit and to adhere to restrictions should he become an officer or director of an existing charity in New York." (emphasis mine)

Here we see why Trump has now moved to Florida.  Less chance of getting caught next time.  And if nobody's paying attention while the Trump Foundation is holding the money, then just imagine what wonderful philanthropic things could be done with that cash.

Happy Veterans Day.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans]

God, I hate him!