Trump SoHo: Fraud Investigation, Investor Losses, DA Charges Dropped

Overview

Trump SoHo buyers discovered that the marketing materials claiming 60% of units were sold were false — fewer than 15% were sold at the time. They sued. The Manhattan DA opened a criminal fraud investigation. The investigation was dropped after Trump's attorney held a private meeting with the DA.

After the investigation was dropped, the attorney's law firm donated $25,000 to the DA's campaign.

The False Sales Figures

In real estate, a development's sales rate affects whether other buyers commit. If 60% of units are sold, the project appears successful; buyers are more comfortable committing. If 15% are sold, the project looks troubled; buyers hesitate.

The difference between the two figures was the difference between buyers committing and buyers waiting. The misrepresentation was not incidental — it was the mechanism of the fraud.

The Emails

The civil case produced emails and documents showing that Trump family members — including Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. — received regular reports on actual sales numbers while the marketing materials claimed higher figures. The emails documented knowledge of the gap between what was being said and what was true.

This is what ADA Christian believed was sufficient for charges. The investigation was dropped before charges were filed.

The Pattern

Florida: Attorney General Bondi received a $25,000 Trump Foundation donation while reviewing a Trump University fraud complaint. She declined to join the multi-state investigation.

New York: DA Vance received a $25,000 donation from Trump's attorney's firm after dropping the Trump SoHo fraud investigation.

Both donations came through different mechanisms. Both investigations were dropped. Both amounts were $25,000.