ZCZC
BFF-20
US-POLITICS-TRUMP
Trump inaugural committee ordered to hand over documents to prosecutors:
reports
WASHINGTON, Feb 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Federal prosecutors in New York have
asked members of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee to hand over
documents linked to donations and spending, US media reported Monday.
The subpoena from the Manhattan US attorney’s office requires the
committee to turn over documents related to donors and donations, attendees
at committee events, paperwork related to the legal requirements attached to
donations as well as the possibility of donations made by foreign nationals,
CNN reported.
The network, which said it had obtained a copy of the subpoena, said it
showed prosecutors were investigating a wide range of crimes including
conspiracy, false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering,
disclosure violations, violations of laws prohibiting contributions by
foreign nations and contributions in the name of another person.
It also specifically seeks all communications with one donor, a Los
Angeles venture capitalist named Imaad Zuberi, as well as the firm with which
he is affiliated, Avenue Ventures, the Washington Post reported — though it
was not immediately clear why Trump was of particular interest.
“We have just received a subpoena for documents. While we are still
reviewing the subpoena, it is our intention to cooperate with the inquiry,” a
spokesperson for the inauguration told US media.
The inaugural committee’s activities has previously been mentioned in
court by Rick Gates, who served as a deputy chairman of the inaugural
committee and testified it was possible he may have stolen money from the
committee through fake expense reports.
Gates has agreed to a plea deal with Robert Mueller, the special counsel
leading the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign
and Russia, though it is not clear whether the committee’s activities are
still being scrutinized in connection with that probe.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1820HRS