WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he intends to dissolve his controversial philanthropic foundation to avoid conflicts of interest, but the move was quickly complicated by an ongoing legal probe.
Trump's sprawling portfolio of US and overseas business interests and holdings -- as well as his Donald J Trump Foundation -- have come under increased scrutiny in the weeks since his election. The shuttering of his charity would be his first big step to avoid a brewing storm of potential conflicts of interest.
His private foundation has been at the center of several controversies -- including how much money he has actually given it -- and is under investigation by New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman.
In a statement to US media on Saturday afternoon the attorney general's office said Trump could not yet close the foundation.
"The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete," Schneiderman spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said.
Trump's transition team said he had directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to close the foundation.
"The foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," Trump said in a statement.
"However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as president I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways."
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