As if the pay-for-play allegations against Donald Trump weren’t bad enough, the evidence of his participation in government corruption deepens.

It turns out not only did Trump donate $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s political committee before she inexplicably decided not to pursue charges against Trump University, he also held a posh fundraiser for Bondi at the infamous Mar-a-Lago estate.

The Huffington Post reported on Wednesday that although Trump did not financially contribute to Bondi at his fundraiser, he hosted the event at the steep price of $3,000 per person and allowed the event to take place at Mar-a-Lago at the small price of $4,855.65- practically for free.  Keep in mind, this is the same estate Trump has charged his own campaign $140,000 to rent.

Here is what we now know:

• Pam Bondi personally solicited donations from Donald Trump after her office intimated they might join the New York Attorney General in opening a fraud investigation against Trump University
• Trump contributed $25,000 to Pam Bondi’s political committee in September 2013
• Bondi then decided not to investigate the numerous fraud complaints against Trump University
• In March of 2014, Trump then hosted a high-dollar fundraiser for Bondi’s reelection campaign at Mar-a-Lago

A $25,000 donation PLUS continuing benefits like lavish fundraisers?  I have to hand it to him, the man sure does know how to say “thank you.”

Just last week, the IRS fined Donald Trump $2,500 for the Bondi contribution.  The penalty was assessed after the IRS discovered that Trump’s charitable foundation made the political campaign donation, which is against tax rules governing non-profit organizations.

Also uncovered was the “error” on Trump’s tax returns, obscuring the political donation by “accidentally” listing the $25,000 contribution to a Kansas charity with a similar sounding name instead of Bondi’s political campaign (allowing the donation to go unnoticed by the IRS).  What a strange coincidence and surely an honest mistake from the world’s most honest and trustworthy political candidate ever.

This really should come as no shock to those actually paying attention to Trump’s cavalier attitude about throwing his money around to get what he wants.  Just back in January, Trump bragged at a campaign rally:

“You know, it’s interesting. I was looking at the ones I’m running against. I’ve contributed to most of them — can you believe it? I’ve contributed to most of them. And one of them said, No, I don’t think you’ve contributed to me. They found out I did. I contribute to everybody. I’ve given to Democrats. I’ve given to Hillary. I’ve given to everybody, because that was my job. I’ve got to give to them. Because when I want something I get it. When I call, they kiss my ass. It’s true. They kiss my ass. It’s true.”

This will surely prove it difficult for the Republican nominee to hit Hillary Clinton on her own pay-to-play allegations.  Debates will likely turn into a competition of who has the least number of scandals and allegations tied to their name, and at the end of the day, we all lose.
Follow @SaraGonzalesTX