Dems want Trump-Bondi probe: 'There is a stink rotting in the Florida Attorney General's office'

Washington, DC, September 13, 2016

Tampa Bay Times

Dems want Trump-Bondi probe: 'There is a stink rotting in the Florida Attorney General's office'

Alex LearyAlex Leary, Times Washington Bureau Chief

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 12:35pm

Asserting that Donald Trump used a political donation to Attorney General Pam Bondi to kill an investigation into his real estate seminars, congressional Democrats on Wednesday urged the Justice Department to open an inquiry.

Florida Reps. Ted Deutch and Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined a news conference and leveled accusations of pay-to-play. "There is way more than whiff here. There is a stink rotting in the Attorney General's office in Florida," Wasserman Schultz said.

Bondi and Trump deny acting improperly, thought Trump paid an IRS fine for using his foundation for the $25,000 donation to Bondi's political committee.

Whatever the merits of an investigation, Democrats -- and the Clinton campaign -- see a political gain. Trump provides added ammunition with his boasts about using his money and stature to influence politicians.