(AP Photo)
AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – The presidential campaigns have turned the national political spotlight on a controversy Texas began investigating nearly six years ago.
Accusations of shoddy and illegal business practices at Trump University in 2010 led to the start of an investigation by then Attorney General Greg Abbott. The investigation was never completed because before it got fully up to speed the real estate seminar business abruptly left the state, leaving dozens of students behind.
The Texas Tribune reports John Owens, a former deputy chief of Abbott’s consumer protection division, insists his request to sue Trump University for illegal business practices was denied and the investigation was swept under the rug.
More than three years after Trump University closed shop in Texas Trump made two contributions totaling $35,000 to Abbott’s gubernatorial campaign. Democrats charge now-Governor Abbott is “on the corrupt Trump payroll.”
Owens agrees, telling the Dallas Morning News it was a purely political decision.
Abbott spokesman Matt Hirsch counters the accusations, saying, “The Texas Attorney General’s office investigated Trump U and its demands were met. Trump U was forced out of Texas and consumers were protected. It’s absurd to suggest any connection between a case that has been closed and a donation to Governor Abbott four years later.”