The Republican National Committee gave more than $121,000 to Donald Trump's legal fees as he faces a criminal investigation over his financial practices in New York.
In October, the committee made two payments totaling $121,670 to the law firm of Ronald Fischetti, a criminal defense attorney Trump hired in April of this year amid the years-long investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's office into the Trump Organization and the former president's business
One payment of $58,240 was made on October 6 and another payment of $63,430 was made on October 13.
A person familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that the requests for the legal funds came over the summer.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office is investigating whether the Trump Organization violated state tax laws by keeping two sets of books, one for favorable tax and loan rates, and the other to pay little in taxes.
More than two years have passed since the inquiry into Trump and his company's finances began.
The Trump Organization's finances are being investigated by the New York Attorney General to see if the company inflated the value of Trump's assets for the purpose of loans and tax benefits.
The RNC approved the decision to pay Trump's legal bills because James had made comments against the former president, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The organization is not paying legal fees related to the probe looking at Trump's role in the January 6 riot.
Representatives from the RNC, Trump's office, and the law firm did not return Insider's request for comment.
The GOP said in a statement to The Post that defending President Trump and his record of achievement is critical to the party. It is appropriate for the RNC to continue assisting in fighting back against the Democrats.
The RNC has footed the bill before for Trump's legal fees. Trump used campaign funds and funding from the RNC to pay his legal bills during the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the US election.
