Federal prosecutors subpoena Trump's inaugural committee
Federal prosecutors in New York issued a subpoena Monday seeking documents from Donald Trump's inaugural committee, furthering a federal inquiry into a fund that has faced mounting scrutiny into how it raised and spent its money. Inaugural committee spokeswoman Kristin Celauro told The Associated Press the committee had received the subpoena and was still reviewing it.
"It is our intention to cooperate with the inquiry," she said.
A second spokesman, Owen Blicksilver, declined to answer questions about which documents prosecutors requested. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, which issued the subpoena, declined to comment.
CBS News has also confirmed the sweeping subpoena and notes it's broad in scope and seeks information on donors and what benefits they received in exchange for their donations. It also asks for information about events and attendees. There is also specific mention of any information related to foreign donations.
The investigation is the latest in a series of criminal inquiries into Mr. Trump's campaign and presidency. Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia and whether the president obstructed the investigation. In a separate case in New York, prosecutors say Mr. Trump directed his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to make illegal hush-money payments to two women as a way to quash potential sex scandals during the campaign.
The Wall Street Journal, citing a copy of the subpoena, reported late last year federal prosecutors are investigating whether committee donors made contributions in exchange for political favors — a potential violation of federal corruption laws. It said the inquiry also was focused on whether the inauguration misspent the $107 million it raised to stage events celebrating Mr. Trump's inauguration.
The subpoena also requested documents relating to donations "made by or on behalf of foreign nationals, including but not limited to any communications regarding or relating to the possibility of donations by foreign nationals," the Journal reported.
The New York Times reported late last year federal prosecutors are examining whether anyone from Qatar, Saudi Arabia or other Middle Eastern countries made illegal payments to the committee and a pro-Trump super political action committee. Foreign contributions to inaugural funds and PACs are prohibited under federal law.
The head of the inaugural committee, Tom Barrack, confirmed to AP he was questioned by Mueller in 2017. He told the AP he was not a target of the Mueller investigation.
Major Garrett and Paula Reid contributed to this report.
