The federal investigation into President Trump’s inaugural committee has intensified with a subpoena ordering the handover of virtually all documentation to prosecutors looking into possible crimes including conspiracy against the U.S., wire fraud, and money laundering.
“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 inaugural committee told ABC News.
The move by prosecutors underlined the reality that the investigations into Trump have stretched far beyond his campaign’s potential ties to Russia during the 2016 election and now include his presidential bid, his inauguration, his businesses and his actions while in office.
Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York demanded all documents relating to the inaugural committee’s donors and attendees. They also want to know about perks offered to attendees who were top donors, such as a photo opportunity with Trump, along with federal disclosure filings, vendors, and contracts.
As revealed in the subpoena, investigators are scrutinizing whether any illegal activities transpired such as conspiracy against the U.S., false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and inaugural committee disclosure violations. Another line of inquiry is whether donations were made in the name of another individual.
The subpoena mentions only two names: Imaad Zuberi and his investment firm, Avenue Ventures LLC. According to the Federal Election Commission, Avenue Ventures contributed $900,000 to the inaugural committee.
The investigation into the inaugural committee began last year, stemming from an inquiry into Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen.
According to the Wall Street Journal, federal prosecutors are investigating whether the committee misused $107 million it raised from donations, whether donations were given in exchange for influence on the Trump administration, and whether illegal donations were channeled to the committee and a pro-Trump super PAC by foreign interests.
