Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s campaign hit up Donald Trump and his pals for contributions while he was investigating the real-estate mogul’s for-profit trade school, reports NyPo.
NyPo continues:
The investigation began in May 2011 and, for more than two years, Trump aides claim Schneiderman’s office told them the case was “very weak” and would “go away.”
While the probe was under way, Trump aides said their boss, his family and his associates were repeatedly approached for thousands of dollars in campaign donations by Schneiderman’s political operation.
Trump aides say now they’re being informed Schneiderman’s office is filing a civil suit against the school on Monday — sending The Donald into a full-scale rage against the AG.
“Donald Trump is not the type of individual who will sit down and be extorted,” declared Trump executive Michael Cohen.
Cohen said Trump is livid that Schneiderman is requesting $5 million to pay fines and settle claims by disgruntled students.[...]Records show Schneiderman himself schmoozed the Trumps as the investigation continued.
Correspondence viewed by The Post found:
* A fawning handwritten personal letter from Schneiderman to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, thanking them for hosting a fund-raising luncheon for the AG.
“Much thanks for the great breakfast. I love meeting new people, and that was a great group,” Schneiderman wrote.
* Schneiderman campaign consultant Celeste Wolter personally appealed to Ivanka to attend a Schneiderman birthday fund-raiser last Dec. 3.
* Trump and associates received a fund-raising invitation last September for an event Schneiderman hosted for California AG Kama Harris. They were asked to donate $5,000.
Trump aides say Schneiderman, a Democrat, is pushing the Trump U. case for political reasons.
“Eric feels he can get political capital by taking on Mr. Trump to fight the perception that he is a weak and incompetent attorney general. It’s nothing more than a cheap publicity trick,” Cohen said.
“Schneiderman told many people that the case was very weak. The case would go away. It just needed to play itself out.”
Trump is correct here. This is purely ugly government power on display. Investigations are often started with the idea that "donations" will make then go away. There aren't many who will take on an attorney general, so good for Trump. He is going to show how it is done. Buy popcorn.
No comments:
Post a Comment