Trump Donates $1.1M to Tuckahoe Veterans Organization

Of the checks presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump sent out to veterans organizations last week, the largest—$1.1 million—was sent to a group in Tuckahoe.

The Associated Press said the check was drawn from Trump’s personal account and made out to an organization that provides scholarships to children of Marines who have died.

The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, located in Westchester County, NY has annual revenues of $3 million, according to politifact.com.

Charity Navigator said the organization is independent, meaning it’s not affiliated with a national, regional or geographic grouping of organizations.

Trump held a testy press conference Tuesday during which is called a reporter "sleaze," according to CNN.com, and said that he didn't want any credit for the donations, even though making the donations has been a part of his campaign speeches.

According to the most recent IRS Form 990 from December 2014, which is for organizations that are exempt from income tax, its assets were $10.1 million, and it is a registered charitable organization.

The organization’s website said it provides a $30,000 scholarship account for “every child who loses a parent serving in the United State [sic] Marine Corps or any Federal Law Enforcement Agency.”

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It said it was founded in 1995 and has awarded more than $67 million in scholarships and humanitarian assistance, adding that it has supported more than 3,700 children.

The chairman of the board is James Kallstrom, who is described as a founding member of the organization.

His job experience includes being director of the New York State Office of Public Security and serving 27 years with the FBI.

Kallstrom also hosted “The F.B.I. Files,” a television series that ran from 1998 to 2009, according to imdb.com.

He touts his relationship with radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, who is on the board of directors, and Fox News with being able to appeal for a wider range of donations.

One of the vice chairmen is General Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), who has served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

The other vice chairman is Gary E. Schweikert, who is currently the managing director of the Trump Soho hotel.

A call for a comment from the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation was not immediately returned.

For the complete Associated Press article, go here. To read the politifact.com article, click here. For the CNN.com report, go here.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore Flickr Creative Commons.