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Read the press release here.

Trump Foundation Ordered to Stop Fundraising in New York State

By Kathleen Culliton | October 3, 2016 2:26pm
 Donald Trump addresses GOP members at a Grand Hyatt Hotel gala on April 14, 2016.
Donald Trump addresses GOP members at a Grand Hyatt Hotel gala on April 14, 2016.
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Ben Fractenberg

NEW YORK CITY — The Trump Foundation has been issued a “cease and desist” notice after illegally soliciting donations in New York State, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Monday.

The foundation received the violation notice on Friday, one day after reports surfaced that the charity organization had never registered for yearly mandatory audits in New York State, according to the New York State Attorney General’s office.

New York’s Executive Law requires that all charities that earn more than $25,000 a year in donations register with the Charities Bureau under article 7-A and provide financial reports and statement annually.

But the Trump Foundation earned more than the $25,000 limit without registering for the 7-A and therefore avoided state oversight, according to the notice.

The notice ordered the foundation to “immediately cease soliciting contributions or engaging in other fundraising activities” in New York and to provide the required financial documents within 15 days.

Should the Trump Foundation fail to comply, the attorney general’s office has the power to permanently cancel the charity’s registration and require it return the excess income to its donors.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment but spokesman Hope Hicks told an NBC News reporter that the foundation intended to provide the necessary financial statements. 

"While we remain very concerned about the political motives behind AG Schneiderman's investigation, the Trump Foundation nevertheless intends to comply fully with the investigation," Hicks said in a statement.