Makaeff v. Trump Univerity, LLC

California Anti-SLAPP Project ^ | June 16, 2014 | United States District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel

[DrewsDad]

United States District Court for the Southern District of California

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF/COUNTER DEFENDANT’S SPECIAL MOTION TO STRIKE DEFENDANT/ COUNTERCLAIMANT’S DEFAMATION COUNTERCLAIM;

...

Between August 2008 and June 2009, Makaeff attended approximately seven real estate investing and finance seminars, workshops, and classes hosted by Trump University and spent a total of approximately $60,000 on the programs.

Although Trump University asserts Makaeff was satisfied with the services Trump University provided to her, noting that Makaeff frequently provided excellent reviews of the programs,Makaeff states the Trump University programs she attended were unsatisfactory. Specifically, Makaeff alleges the programs were shorter than advertised, , she was provided only a toll-free telephone number instead of a one-year mentorship of “expert, interactive support,” and her Trump University mentors were largely unavailable and offered no practical advice when she did speak with them.

In addition, Makaeff alleges she was told by Trump University staff to raise her credit card limits to purchase real estate, but once she did, she was pressured by Trump University staff to instead use her elevated credit to purchase the Trump Gold Elite seminar for $34,995. Makaeff also claims she was told by Trump University staff that her first real estate transaction after signing up for the Trump Gold Elite program would earn her approximately the amount she spent on the Trump Gold Elite program, which it did not.

... The gist of Makaeff’s complaint about Trump University is that it constitutes an elaborate scam. As the recent Ponzi-scheme scandals involving one-time financial luminaries like Bernard Madoff and Allen Stanford demonstrate, victims of con artists often sing the praises of their victimizers until the moment they realize they have been fleeced. Makaeff’s initial enthusiasm for Trump University’s program is not probative of whether she acted with actual malice.

[DrewsDad]

Trump is a Self-Centered Celebrity Salesman.

Buyer Beware

"victims of con artists often sing the praises of their victimizers until the moment they realize they have been fleeced."

[AndyJackson]

Between August 2008 and June 2009, Makaeff attended approximately seven real estate investing and finance seminars, workshops, and classes hosted by Trump University and spent a total of approximately $60,000 on the programs. (Dkt. Nos. 4 at 9; 14-1 at 11.)

Not just one but she attended seven seminars, workshops, and classes?!

[Sasparilla]

..”victims of con artists often sing the praises of their victimizers until the moment they realize they have been fleeced....

The same can be said for thousands of new college graduates who paid tuition financed by student loans and can’t find a job or work for minimum wage.

[diamond6]

But, but... Lyin’ Ted... He’s the the real liar, right?

[showme_the_Glory]

she attended seven seminars, workshops, and classes?!

a dropout?

[major-pelham]

This is completely unlike Madoff in all aspects - wtf are you talking about?

People gave Madoff cash. Madoff sent them back lying account statements. People went to liquidate their investments. Madoff spent their money. They had no accounts. Madoff stole their money and spent it on himself.

This lady took a class. She experienced it herself. Then signed up for another one. She took that. Then signed up for another one. Then another. Then another. Then another. Then another.

She personally evaluated her situation prior to each additional sign up. She said what she got was great and opened her wallet to get some more.

This could be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

[jessduntno]

“Not just one but she attended seven seminars, workshops, and classes?!”

A ___ and their money are soon parted? Unfortunately, cons really are out there and many people find themselves throwing good money after bad. Otherwise, there would be no Las Vegas. Or Democrat Party.

[mabelkitty]

Gee.
Sounds like LOTS of universities in the US.
Ask all those Bernie voters who want their college loans paid off because they can’t get a job.

[dp0622]

she could have put a down payment on a house :)

this is a non issue because nobody has much sympathy for fools.

[nathanbedford]

Rank relativism.

The allegation is that Donald Trump fleeced this woman and members of her class of plaintiffs through a fraud. It is not a defense that other people at other times, perhaps even including college students, were also defrauded.

It is certainly not a justification for making Donald Trump president of the United States.

This is not the first thread involving the subject but it is no doubt going to be yet another example of the moral prostitution engaged in by Trump supporters in order to rationalize yet another character failing in their hero.

[boycott]

Sounds like Makaeff was absolutely clueless. So now we should believe her? I don’t offer much credibility to someone so clueless.

[DrewsDad]

this is a non issue because nobody has much sympathy for fools.

So, we shouldn't have any sympathy for those who trust in Trump?

[Georgia Girl 2]

This is a nuisance suit that all large business’s have to put up with. It has nothing to do with the current election or Trump’s ability to be President. Its a distraction and most but apparently not all people realize it.

[DrewsDad]

That’s OK, Trump is the king of distractions. That’s how he avoids his highly inconsistent record.

[boycott]

But, but... Lyin’ Ted... He’s the the real liar, right?

—

Meanwhile, Ted stands at the pulpit and lets us all know that he is holier than thou while contributing less than 1% of his income to the church.

Ted then said he felt it was import to build financial security for his children. That is so lame and shows such a lack of faith that God will provide.

Ted had been losing me on a few things and this one showed me that he wasn’t the person he represented himself to be. Ted and his father are all over Christian radio telling us how Ted is the chosen one and all that BS.

I voted for Ted in the Super Tuesday primary and will vote for him if he’s the nominee but, if I had to vote in the primary again, it would be for Trump.

[Tucker39]

Victims often sing the praises of the school and the curriculum, until it dawns on them that ton$ of $$$$ will not just magically appear in one’s bank account upon graduation. They are often crushed to learn that one needs to get off their duff and hustle to make the $$$$ come their way.

There it is without the spinning and slanting.

[ifinnegan]

It’s an odd defense of Trump: these people were dumb enough to be conned by Trump, therefore Trump did nothing wrong.

[Larry Lucido]

When Ben Carson ran against Trump, he was dragged through the mud over his own pyramid scheme (not the grain one, the health-food one). Once Carson started to support Trump, well, all that went down the memory hole. Carson was immaculated!

Sleaze only matters when not Trump.

[Larry Lucido]

But they had a 98% approval rating, because their own web site said so! /s

[JimSEA]

Smart people are not so easily conned. Cynicism isn’t all bad. Bait and switch cons need gullible victims. If an intelligent and analytical person bites for the first course, they will quickly figure out that they have been had.