In September 2013, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's office publicly announced it was "currently reviewing" whether to join New York AG Eric Schneiderman's lawsuit against Trump University for fraud. Approximately four to six days later, the Donald J. Trump Foundation donated $25,000 to Bondi's re-election PAC, "And Justice for All." Bondi later admitted her campaign had directly solicited the donation from Trump.
Shortly thereafter, Florida declined to join the fraud lawsuit against Trump University.
The donation itself was illegal—the Trump Foundation, a charitable organization, donated to a political action committee in violation of IRS rules. Trump later paid a $2,500 IRS penalty for the improper donation.
In March 2014, Trump hosted a fundraiser for Bondi at Mar-a-Lago that raised at least $150,000. Bondi became the first major Florida Republican to endorse Trump for president in 2015.
A Florida state investigation into the apparent quid pro quo found "insufficient evidence" to proceed with bribery charges. This early transaction established the pattern that would define the Trump-Bondi relationship: loyalty rewarded, investigations buried.