Trump announces intent to dissolve Donald J. Trump Foundation

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Sunday, December 25, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Denver on Nov. 5, 2016.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Denver on Nov. 5, 2016.
AP-AP

PALM BEACH, FL -- President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he intends to dissolve his charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

In a press release, Trump said the foundation has done good work, but he wants to "avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as President."

Trump has directed his counsel to take steps in dissolving the foundation, according to the press release.

"I am very proud of the money that has been raised for many organizations in need, and I am also very proud of the fact that the Foundation has operated at essentially no cost for decades, with 100 percent of the money going to charity," the statement said.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the New York state attorney general's office noted, "The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete."

The foundation came under public and government scrutiny earlier this year regarding the nonprofit's funding and who receives the donations.

The New York Attorney General's Office began investigating the foundation. According to a letter sent to Trump in June, the foundation contributed to And Justice For All, a political organization, which is against IRS rules.

The foundation was started in 1998 and since 2006, it has been run by his three oldest kids, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump.

ABC News contributed to this report.

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