Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is again the focus of Donald Trump's campaign after reports emerged that the presidential nominee paid a $2,500 penalty to the IRS this year after his charitable foundation made an illegal political contribution to Bondi's re-election campaign.
The Washington Post reports the Trump Foundation gave $25,000 to a political group supporting Bondi called "And Justice for All." But after a series of errors, the donation was listed on the foundation's tax filing as going to a Kansas group with a similar name. Registered nonprofits like the Trump Foundation cannot make political donations. The businessman eventually reimbursed his foundation and paid the penalty personally.
The financial error wouldn't have as much of an issue had Bondi not received it at the same time she was considering whether Florida should investigate complaints that Trump University had defrauded consumers. Her office ultimately decided not to pursue an investigation. Trump denied any alleged "pay for play," saying he didn't speak to her about the investigation and called her a "fine person beyond reproach." On her end, Bondi says she won't be bullied by the other presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. But that's all hard to swallow after statements Trump made earlier saying he expects favors from politicians he donates to, according to the Associated Press.
Trump and Clinton's wildly differing politics aside, Floridians will have to ask themselves before and after the general election whether it's okay for the state's highest prosecutor to take campaign checks from people she's supposed to protect consumers from.