Attorney General Pam Bondi rejected renewed assertions Tuesday that a $25,000 political contribution from current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump influenced her office in 2013 to dismiss allegations that Floridians had been bilked by Trump University.
Addressing the news media before the start of a state Cabinet meeting, Bondi contended only a single complaint had been filed by a Floridian against the Trump educational company between the time she took office in 2011 and the time of the donation. She also said she had no knowledge of the complaint at the time it was made and that a lower-level staff member found no justification to investigate.
“There was one complaint by one citizen against Donald Trump in 2011,” Bondi said. “I had absolutely no idea, nor would I have had an idea that there was one complaint.”
Bondi, a Republican who has two years remaining in her term and has not announced future political plans, has been in the middle of a national media firestorm about the contribution.
During Tuesday’s often-contentious session with reporters, she said she had no regret about the $25,000 donation, which was made from Trump’s charity foundation to a political committee known as “And Justice for All,” which helped in her successful 2014 re-election bid. She said her mistake had been in failing to personally address media questions about the contribution earlier.
Bondi, an early supporter of Trump’s presidential run, said she has no intention of leaving office over the matter and that she hopes the coverage, which she argued was often “misreported,” doesn’t impact the credibility and work of her office.
“I hate that this is taking away from all the things we can be doing to help people,” Bondi said.
Despite Trump’s statements on the campaign trail that he has given contributions to other politicians to get favors, Bondi said there were no strings attached with the 2013 contribution to her re-election effort.
“I would never, ever trade any campaign donation for some type of favor to anyone,” Bondi said.
Trump, who has an estate in Palm Beach, has made similar statements that he sought nothing from Bondi. But he has also said, including once during a January rally in Clear Lake, Iowa, that he gives money to politicians “because when I want something I get it. When I call, they kiss my ass. It’s true. They kiss my ass.”
Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for Trump’s campaign, has called the pay-for-play allegation involving Bondi “totally ridiculous.”
Bondi said Tuesday that even after all the coverage, which has included reports of more than one complaint to her office about Trump University, the state does not need to get involved because the issue focuses on a New York-based organization.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced this month that he was looking into the Trump foundation after it disclosed Trump paid a $2,500 penalty to the Internal Revenue Service because the contribution to Bondi violated tax regulations.
A lawsuit filed three years ago by Schneiderman against Trump and Trump University remains in court and has become an issue in the presidential race.
State Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, and U.S. House Democrats have called on U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate the contribution to Bondi.
Outgoing state House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, said the acceptance of the money created “doubt” about Bondi’s agency, and he has a hard time believing her.
“My guess is if the federal Department of Justice had the dollars, there would be several investigations,” Pafford said. “And based upon what I’ve seen written in the press, I suspect there is a lot more behind the scene. … I don’t buy it, and I don’t think Floridians should buy it.”
The contribution was made in September 2013.
Bondi, who personally solicited the donation, said she had known Trump before becoming attorney general in 2011, possibly meeting in New York while making regular guest appearances on Fox News and that they may have crossed paths because of a murder case she was prosecuting.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
rst says
Another glaring example of how our political system REALLY works. Now for the real show where she gets off scott free when any other state employee would’ve been fired and criminally charged immediately. Where’s the JUSTICE?
Donald Trump's Tiny Fingers says
She and trump really do deserve each other. What an unfettered piece of crap of a human being.
Pogo says
“…scott free..”
Irony is everywhere.
MarkingTheDays says
I’m looking forward to the Pam Bondi sex scandal!
Knightwatch says
Trumpers are immune to the laws, regulations, ethics and morals that used to be important measures of fitness to hold office. They can do about anything they please, deny knowledge of, or culpability for, any transgression and the martinet Republican base voter will shrug it all off and ultimately blame President Obama or Secretary Clinton.
The Republican Party, that paragon of virtue and values, is dead. Long live Trumpism.
Common Sense says
She is as crooked as Scott. Talk about pay for play! Why would Trump, who admits he gives money to people so he can ask them for favours later, give money to an obscure official in Florida? She insults our intelligence.
carol says
Let’s make America white again!!!
BIG JOHN says
Pam Bondi reminds me of Captain Renaud in Casablance who is “shocked, shocked to find out that gambling is going on at Rick’s Café Americain” as he receives his winn9ings from Frenchy after closing down the place for illegal gambling. So corrupt, that it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship for Pam and the Donald as they walk off together….maybe to a Free French garrison at Brazaville??
Flatsflyer says
Five divorces and at least 4 abortions between them, real Religious Right Role Models. Both deserve to be in jail, just don’t put them in the same cell, breeding on their part would result in additional uncontrollable animals.
BIG JOHN says
I cannot wait for the Pam Bondi sex tape to surface on the Inter Net
DaveT says
@Flatsflyer, they can lock up crooked Hillary and Bill as well along with Trump and Pammie none of them are fit as role models and one was a freaking President.
Anonymous says
Just think of what a fine attorney general we would have if she put as much effort in serving us over rubbing shoulders with those who can fill her pockets. This should be a lesson to voters next election to not automatically reelect her in 2018. A fine example of today’s ethical standards. Would the ethics commission dismiss this too if they had this come across their desk?