November 22, 2016

Trump Foundation Admits to Violating “Self-Dealing” Rules

Days after the president-elect settled his Trump University lawsuits for $25 million.

Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/ZUMA

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Donald Trump’s charitable foundation has admitted to violating an IRS ban “self-dealing,” the Washington Post reported on Tuesday. The rules prohibit leaders of non-profit organizations from using funds to benefit a “disqualified” person, which can include the president-elect himself, members of his family, or their private business interests.

The news comes just days after Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle several fraud lawsuits related to Trump University.

The new admission was uncovered in the foundation’s newest IRS filings, which were posted online on Monday by a nonprofit tracking site, GuideStar.

Throughout his campaign, Trump was dogged by accusations that he used his philanthropic organization to pay off business obligations, settle lawsuits, and even purchase a 6-foot-tall painting of himself.

On Monday, Trump’s lawyers promised that the Trump Foundation would not use its funds to help pay for the $25 million Trump University settlement.

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