A Wisconsin ethics panel has recommended pursuing criminal charges against Donald Trump’s Save America PAC and several Republican committees for alleged violations of state campaign finance laws.
The panel claims that during the 2022 Republican primary, these entities, along with a state lawmaker and a former GOP candidate, colluded to surpass donation limits and funnel larger contributions to a candidate’s committee through party entities.
The investigation found that Trump’s PAC, in conjunction with other Republican bodies, orchestrated donations exceeding the $1,000 limit by routing them through county party committees.
Save America reportedly donated $5,000 to each of three county GOP committees implicated in the probe. Despite requests for comment, neither the Trump campaign nor Save America’s treasurer responded.
This development further complicates Trump’s legal landscape as he vies for the GOP presidential nomination. Facing numerous legal challenges, including 91 criminal charges across four jurisdictions, Trump’s involvement in alleged campaign finance violations adds to his legal woes.
The bipartisan ethics commission’s findings have significant implications for Wisconsin’s political scene. If local prosecutors decline the case, the commission retains the option to escalate the matter to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. The investigation underscores the increasing legal scrutiny surrounding Trump’s political activities.
In the 2022 primary, Trump endorsed candidate Adam Steen, who aimed to unseat Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. However, despite Trump’s backing, Steen narrowly lost to Vos by 260 votes. The commission’s recommendation to pursue criminal charges adds a new layer of turmoil to Wisconsin’s political landscape.