Donald Trump dismissed questions about failing to disclose a $25,000 Trump Foundation contribution in 2013 to a political group connected to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to The Washington Post.
"I never spoke to her, first of all. She's a fine person, beyond reproach. I never even spoke to her about it at all," Trump said during a campaign stop in Ohio. "Many of the attorney generals turned that case down because I'll win that case in court. Many turned that down. I never spoke to her."
Bondi was up for reelection in 2013, and she was considering opening up an investigation into fraud regarding Trump University, according to The Post.
Florida never investigated the matter. On Aug. 25, left-leaning group Progress Florida released a video looking into the scandal.
Federal rules prohibit charities from donating to political candidates. Trump and his team did not disclose the $25,000 to the IRS, reporting that it was given to an unrelated group with a similar name.
Marc Reicheldelfer, a consultant for Bondi's reelection campaign, said in June that Bondi spoke with Trump and asked for the donation herself.
Trump paid the IRS this year a $2,500 penalty after reports of the gift and disclosure error. Trump Organization representatives said that Trump reimbursed the foundation $25,000 from his personal account afterward.
When Trump was asked what he hoped his donation would accomplish, he responded with praise for Bondi, who endorsed Trump for president in March 2014.
"I've just known Pam Bondi for years. I have a lot of respect for her," Trump said.
Trump in January said that he has donated to political candidates so that, "When I want something, I get it."