Why is Ivanka Trump being sued? POTUS daughter deposed by Attorney General for funds misuse at 2017 inauguration
Before President Donald Trump's departure from office in January, his daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, has been deposed by the Attorney General's office as part of the ongoing lawsuit, accusing the Trump Inaugural Committee of misusing nonprofit funds for lavish 2017 celebrations. The events included the swearing-in ceremony, a congressional luncheon, parade, inaugural balls and the inter-faith prayer service.
According to CNN, Ivanka, a witness in the case, was grilled by attorneys this week, according to a court filing. Trump's inaugural committee was sued back in January 2020 over allegations that it spent more than $1 million to book a ballroom at the Trump International Hotel in order to "grossly overpay" for party space and, in the process, enrich the Trump family. Attorney General Karl Racine said that the committee misused nonprofit funds to coordinate with the hotel management and members of the Trump family to arrange the events. Back in January, Racine had said, "In this case, we are seeking to recover the nonprofit funds that were improperly funneled directly to the Trump family business."
Why is Ivanka Trump being sued?
According to the CNN report, the lawsuit states that the event's planner, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, had raised concerns about pricing with Trump, Ivanka and Rick Gates, a top campaign official at the time. The suit also states that Wolkoff documented her warning in an email to Gates and Ivanka in December 2016. The lawsuit states, "Ms Wolkoff asked them to 'please take into consideration that when this is audited it will become public knowledge that the locations were also gifted and costs underwritten to lower rental fees' and The PIC and the Trump Hotel ignored these warnings and went ahead with the improper payments at issue in this case."
According to CNN, Ivanka was subpoenaed in October, along with other members of Trump's camp, including First Lady Melania Trump, Gates and investor Thomas J Barrack Jr who was deposed on November 17. Ivanka sat for a deposition on Tuesday (December 1). Wolkhoff, former adviser to first lady Melania who played a leading role organizing the inaugural parties, is due for deposition later this month.
The committee has maintained that its finances were independently audited and all money was spent in accordance with the law.