Patriot Legal Expense Fund to Assist Persons Involved in Investigations

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust, LLC was formally established in the State of Delaware, operating as a tax-exempt political organization under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund was formed to provide assistance paying legal expenses for eligible persons involved in the investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, and any related inquiries by other House and Senate committees.

Recipients of the fund may include employees, consultants, or volunteers to the Campaign, Transition, and the Administration who have been involved in the investigations. For purposes of complying with federal ethics rules, the fund will have at least two separate accounts: one for government employees and one for non-government employees.

President Donald J. Trump and his immediate family members are excluded from the definition of eligible recipients of this fund.

Legal expenses incurred on behalf of any party which arise from the defense of any charge or indictment for dishonest, fraudulent or criminal activity fall outside the scope and purpose of this legal expense fund.

Previously, the draft agreement for the fund was reviewed by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. While as a matter of protocol they do not officially sanction such funds, the OGE acknowledged that the fund management and recipients will be in compliance with relevant federal statutes, stating in a letter dated January 29, 2018: "if the fund is established and administered in accordance with the terms set out in the attached agreement, both the managers and the employee recipients will be in compliance with 18 U.S.C. 209."

Filings with the Internal Revenue Service indicate the appointment of an Interim Manager of the fund, Nan Hayworth, M.D. Dr. Hayworth is a former U.S. Representative from New York who was the first female physician to ever serve a full term as a Member of Congress and was a supporter of President Trump in the 2016 campaign. Dr. Hayworth will be the Interim Manager while selection of a permanent Manager is concluded.

The Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust provides a vehicle for citizens seeking to help persons involved in the investigation by the special counsel and congressional committees with their legal expenses.

SOURCE Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust, LLC