New York Governor helps clear the path for criminal charges against Donald Trump

| 12:12 pm EDT July 19, 2018
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When New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood sued Donald Trump, his three eldest children, and their “charitable” foundation in June for violating multiple laws over the course of a decade it was heralded as a big deal. However, while the civil lawsuit sought to recover $2.8 million in restitution it was not a criminal indictment. In order for any of the Trumps to face any criminal liability, it would require a criminal referral, but that possibility had yet to receive much attention.

That all changed on Wednesday. “At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the state stands ready to provide the (New York) Attorney General with the appropriate criminal referral on this matter if and when she asks for it,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office announced. After originally stating that Trump “had illegally used the nonprofit as a personal ‘checkbook’ for his own benefit, including his 2016 presidential campaign,” one would think Underwood might be inclined to request such a referral.

As Palmer Report previously documented, for Donald Trump to ultimately die penniless in prison, the Attorney General of New York would likely end up being involved. With decades of Trump’s money laundering and other illegal ventures taking place in New York, asset forfeiture is the key. Further increasing the likelihood of this possibility, the New York State legislature was asked in March by the Attorney General to change state law to help ensure that Trump, or any of his cronies and co-conspirators, will face state charges if pardoned at the federal level.

While Underwood’s lawsuit claims Trump “used the foundation’s name and funds it raised from the public to pay off his legal debts, promote Trump-branded hotels and other businesses and to purchase personal items,” she also stated her office “intends to hold the Foundation and its directors accountable for its misuse of charitable assets.” This week just continues to get worse for Trump and his family.