A lawsuit has been filed against Donald Trump by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, accusing him of intentionally falsifying his financial disclosure reports. The complaint was submitted to the FBI and Department of Justice for investigation.
Between 2015 and 2023, Trump reported owing over $50 million to his Chicago business on his public financial disclosure reports. However, a court-appointed monitor revealed that this loan never existed, which could indicate a tax evasion scheme or hidden debt to another party.
CREW President Noah Bookbinder stated that while Trump has a history of lying about his finances, falsifying government disclosures is a potential violation of criminal law. The purpose of public financial disclosures is to maintain the integrity of high-level government officials and build public trust in the federal government. If Trump knowingly made false statements, he will have violated the trust these laws were intended to uphold.
Bookbinder emphasized that no one is above the law and that everyone in the executive branch must follow the same rules. He called on the FBI and DOJ to investigate further for potential legal action.
The allegations come after years of scrutiny into Trump’s business practices and finances. The president has been accused of inflating asset values, hiding debt, and making false statements about his businesses’ financial performance.
This latest complaint adds fuel to calls from critics who argue that Trump’s actions are part of a larger pattern of deceitful behavior that undermines public trust in government.
As investigations continue, it remains unclear what consequences Trump may face if found guilty of falsifying his financial disclosures.
