A charity organization run by the family of United States President, Donald Trump, is at the centre of a lawsuit filed by the State of New York.

New York's Attorney General Barbara Underwood said she was suing the Trump Foundation, as well as Donald Trump and his children, over alleged extensive and persistent law breaking.

Underwood said the charitable foundation had engaged in unlawful political co-ordination designed to influence the 2016 election.

The official alleged that Trump had illegally instructed the foundation to provide support to his presidential campaign by using its name and funds to promote the campaign.

The petition further claims that Trump used charitable assets to pay off legal obligations, to promote his businesses and to purchase personal items.

Underwood said the lawsuit seeks to dissolve the foundation, but the foundation has denied the charges, which it said were politically motivated.