LAW OFFICES OF

J . W HITFIELD L ARRABEE
TRIAL AND APPELLATE LAWYERS
251 HARVARD STREET, SUITE 9
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS 02445

TELEPHONE: (617) 566-3670

FACSIMILE: (617) 507-6435
JW.LARRABEE@VERIZON.NET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: J. Whitfield Larrabee

April 6, 2017 857-991-9894 | jw.larrabee@verizon.net

ATTORNEY STATEMENT: IN FAILING TO CONDUCT

AN INVESTIGATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI,
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND STATE ATTORNEY STEPHEN RUSSELL
HAVE FAILED THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA

Massachusetts - In reference to the decision of State Attorney Stephen Russell, attorney J.

Whitfield Larrabee released the following statement:

I condemn the decision of State Attorney Stephen Russell and his assistant not to conduct an
investigation of Attorney General Bondi for violating Floridas laws prohibiting public officials
from accepting a bribe. The decision is factually and legally flawed. Before making the
decision, no one from the State Attorneys office spoke with me about this case. There is no
indication that they spoke with any other witnesses or gathered any evidence.

There is no doubt that the solicitation and acceptance of a $25,000 payment from the Trump
Foundation by Attorney General Bondi, while her office was reviewing complaints against
Trump University, corruptly violated Florida law. It is illegal under the laws of Florida and of
the United States to solicit or accept money from a charity for a political campaign.

The conclusion of the State Attorneys Office, that there is no reasonable suspicion to
investigate whether Attorney General Bondi solicited or accepted a bribe is a miscarriage of
justice. A number of facts give rise to reasonable suspicion: Trumps statements about paying
off politicians, the timing of his $25,000 payment to Bondi, the illegal drawing of the funds from
Trumps charitable foundation, the $25 million settlement obtained from Trump University by
the NY Attorney General and Bondis unreasonable failure to take action against Trump and
Trump University after receiving the pay off.

Many major newspapers in Florida have asked for an investigation of this matter. Citizens For
Responsibility and Ethics In Washington (CREW), a government watchdog, has also filed
complaints asking for an investigation. I have no relationship with CREW.

Governor Scott, an ally of Trump and Bondi, as well as State Attorney Russell, have failed the
people of Florida. They have failed to even investigate whether Attorney General Bondi violated
the public trust.