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The New York State Taxation and Finance Department has launched an investigation into the Trump Foundation to find out whether it violated state tax laws.

In a tweet, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed the probe.

“My administration will investigate the Trump Foundation to the fullest possible extent and will refer any crime for immediate action," Cuomo said. "Those responsible will be held accountable.”

The investigation comes amid reports that the Cuomo administration is ready to provide appropriate referral to the state attorney general’s office to open a criminal investigation against the Trump Foundation.

Yesterday, Alphonso David, the counsel to the governor, said, “At Gov. Cuomo’s direction, the state stands ready to provide the attorney general with the appropriate criminal referral on this matter if and when she asks for it.”

Trump Foundation is Facing a Civil Lawsuit

In June, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a civil lawsuit against the Trump Foundation. Underwood included President Donald Trump and his adult children in the complaint.

Underwood alleged that Trump, his adult children and his charitable foundation committed a “pattern of persistent illegal conduct” for over a decade. According to her, Trump used the foundation’s assets for his own benefit.

In response to the statement of the governor’s counsel, Amy Spitalnick, the spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said, “As our lawsuit against the Trump Foundation illustrates, we intend to hold the foundation and its directors accountable for all violations of state law.”

In addition, Spitalnick stressed, “We continue to evaluate the evidence to determine what actions may be warranted, and will seek a criminal referral from the appropriate state agency as necessary.”

The attorney general’s office already referred the case to the IRS and the Federal Election Commission for further investigation.

In a statement last month, the Trump Foundation called the lawsuit “politics at its very worst.”

Trump called it “ridiculous” and said, “I won’t settle this case.”