Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Corruption of Trump: Ten Years of Financial Records

The House Oversight Committee is demanding ten years of financial records from an accounting firm used by Individual I.  The committee led by Rep Elijah Cummings, asked Mazars USA to provide documents particularly related to Don Veto's bid to purchase the Buffalo Bills professional football team. The New York Times reported Trump inflated his financial capacity in order to swing the deal with the help of his friends at Deutsche Bank. {19.03.2019} Former Trump lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified last month that his former boss inflated his net worth in order to buy the team. The bid failed. Cohen also testified that certain asset values were deflated in order to avoid taxes. Cummings gave the accounting firm until April 3rd to comply with the panel's request.

Two of Don Veto's minions on the committee have predictably claimed that request for documentation amounts to harassment in an effort to embarrass an innocent man and "advance their relentless attacks" on the administration. Cummings dismissed their complaints, saying the committee is attempting to corroborate Cohen's sworn claims, an action well within its oversight responsibilities which the American people want fulfilled. Besides, Cummings noted, "they [Trump supporters] complain about everything I do".

On another front, the committee asked Diana Falzone, a former reporter for Fox News, to produce documents concerning a story that was suppressed by  management about payments to women who had affairs with Don Veto.  The request is related to the charge that Individual I made illegal campaign payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and others.