Trump could still face money laundering investigation at Scottish golf course after judge rules the courts must decide

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Scottish courts have rejected a legal bid to force lawmakers to investigate Donald Trump’s purchase of his two important golf resorts in the country.

The country’s top prosecutor now needs to decide whether to continue an investigation into how the former president paid for his Trump Turnberry course in 2014, and Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen eight years ago.

New York-based human rights organization Avaaz has argued that the Scottish Government should have started an unexplained wealth mandate investigation into how the deals were funded.

However, in a written judgment released on Thursday, Judge Craig Sandison ruled that Scottish ministers had acted lawfully in denying the investigation.

“I would like to clarify that I have not expressed any views on the question of whether [criminal law] the requirements are or seem to be met in President Trump’s case, ”Judge Sandison wrote.

“Plus, for the unseen Scottish Ministers can still make a UWO application in relation to President Trump’s Scottish assets.”

The case will now fall to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain to decide whether to pursue a criminal investigation.

Mr Trump paid $ 60m cash to buy Trump Turnberry in 2014, a deal that caught attention during his presidency as his finances were scrutinized by the press.

The self -described “King of Debt” built his business empire by borrowing money through vague financial deals.

Yet in the nine years leading up to his election as president, Mr Trump has spent $ 400m cash on new properties, including buying 14 properties directly without borrowing a cent from at any bank, The Washington Post reported in 2018.

Avaaz called on the Scottish and US governments to investigate the source of Mr Trump’s millions of spending.

The Scottish Green Party has also called for an unexplained order of Mr Trump’s financial wealth, the BBC reported.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was up to the courts to decide whether to investigate the purchase of the two golf resorts.

Donald Trump cut a ribbon on the 9th tee at his Trump Turnberry Resort surrounded by his family in 2016

(Getty Photos)

However, former Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf opposed Ms Sturgeon, and said the Government had jurisdiction for an unexplained investigation into the wealth order.

Avaaz, who is taking similar court action against Mr Trump in the US, has appealed to the Court of Session, Scotland’s highest civil court, which has ruled that the Government need not act.

Thursday’s decision means the politically charged case will be returned to Ms Bain, who is the equivalent of an attorney general in Scotland.

After the decision. Avaaz legal director Nick Flynn said the time had come for a full investigation.

“The law may be clarified, but a cloud of suspicion still remains over Trump’s purchase of Turnberry,” he said in a statement.

“In any proposal, the threshold to pursue a UWO to investigate the purchase is easily exceeded. The Lord Advocate must take immediate action in the interest of rule of law and transparency, and seek a clear explanation of where the $ 60 came from. m used to buy Turnberry, “he said.

The Trump Scotland group did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

Eric Trump previously described the investigation as “pathetic” and said it would deter overseas investment.

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