US campaign group says Scots prosecutors failed to investigate Trump’s golf course financing

US Campaign Group Accuses Scottish Prosecutors of Failing to Investigate Trump’s Golf Course Financing

Scotland’s chief prosecutor, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, has been under fire for allegedly ignoring calls from American lawyers to probe the financing of Donald Trump’s Scottish golf courses. This issue arose after a New York civil court determined in February that the President-Elect and his top executives had misled bankers and insurers by inflating his wealth in financial statements. Trump, who owns golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, was ordered to pay £279.9 million in penalties, a decision he is currently appealing.

A US political campaign group called Avaaz has urged Scottish authorities to seek an Unexplained Wealth Order related to Trump’s golf courses in Scotland. Despite sending a letter to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain in October, the organisation has reported receiving no response. Nick Flynn, the Legal Director at Avaaz, stated, “Trump may avoid accountability in the US through self-pardoning, but in Scotland, he cannot. The origin of the $60 million in cash used for his Turnberry golf course remains suspicious and necessitates an investigation.”

Allegations have surfaced suggesting potential Russian money involvement in funding the golf course purchases. Financial records reveal significant losses at Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course, which nearly doubled in the last year. Meanwhile, his Turnberry resort generated a pre-tax profit of £3.8 million in the previous year. Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie emphasised the importance of accountability for financial misconduct, especially involving politically exposed individuals like Trump, calling for a zero-tolerance approach towards financial crimes.

Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Crown Office department, the Civil Recovery Unit, stated that they neither confirm nor deny ongoing civil recovery investigations. Representatives for Trump were contacted for comments but have not responded as of yet.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Trump’s Scottish golf courses underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in financial dealings, especially for individuals holding influential positions. The demand for investigations and potential legal actions highlights the need to uphold the integrity of financial systems and prevent exploitation by powerful figures.

Insights:
The article sheds light on the allegations against Donald Trump regarding the financing of his Scottish golf courses and the calls for investigations by US campaign group Avaaz. It highlights the significance of transparency and accountability in financial transactions, particularly for individuals in positions of power. The demand for an Unexplained Wealth Order underscores the importance of ensuring legality and ethical conduct in all financial dealings, regardless of the individual’s status or influence.