Former President Donald Trump will have his lawyer fees for investigations into his financial practices in New York paid for by the Republican National Committee, a party spokeswoman said.
The RNC made two payments in October to the law firm of Ronald Fischetti, a veteran defense attorney who Trump hired in April. The total amount paid on behalf of Trump by the RNC was $121,670, The Washington Post reported.
The Post reported that the payment request was submitted this summer, but the party’s executive committee voted on it just recently.
Trump is facing an investigation in New York City overseen by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The RNC reportedly was willing to fork over the money for Trump because James has made comments in the past indicating she wanted to go after the former President.
“I will be shining a bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings,” James told supporters in 2018 when discussing her intent to investigate Trump.
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This is not the first time the RNC has paid for Trump’s legal bills, although they have not paid for his current court battles over the House Jan. 6 committee requests.
In a statement, the party expressed the need to continue to support Trump.
“As a leader of our party, defending President Trump and his record of achievement is critical to the GOP,” the party said in a written statement. “It is entirely appropriate for the RNC to continue assisting in fighting back against the Democrats’ never ending witch hunt and attacks on him.”
Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoings by Vance or James, and he claims that their investigation is politically motivated.
