Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Trump fights summer trial in Trump University lawsuit
Politico ^ | March 19, 2016 | Josh Gerstein

Posted on 03/20/2016 3:49:48 AM PDT by reaganaut1

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is fighting efforts to hold a trial in a federal class-action lawsuit over his Trump University real-estate program either just before or after the Republican National Convention in July.

Such a trial has the potential to pull Trump off the campaign trail in order to serve as a witness. And in a filing late Friday night in federal court in San Diego, lawyers for Trump said plaintiffs' lawyers are intentionally trying to schedule the trial to interfere with his presidential campaign.

"Plaintiffs’ request to set a trial date in June or August of this year ... is a transparent attempt to prejudice defendants’ ability to defend this case at trial while Mr. Trump is running for President," renowned trial attorney Dan Petrocelli wrote. "It also conflicts with plaintiffs’ acknowledgment to this Court that it would be 'foolish' to think a fair jury could be selected in the middle of the current presidential campaign."

Questions about the Trump University program have swirled around the GOP presidential hopeful recently, and seem certain to continue to do so. The lawsuit already has been a distraction in the presidential race for the real-estate developer, with fellow GOP candidates using it to attack him as a "con man" on the trail and during nationally televised debates. Last week, Petrocelli said it "will be a zoo if it goes to trial" in August.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1stcanadiansenator; albertogonzales; angertrolling; consensuscracking; forumsliding; gangof14; gonzalocuriel; hitandrunposter; laraza; mud; mudmud; mudmudmud; mudmudmudmud; presidentdonaldtrump; propagandadujour; tdsafternoonshift; tdscoffeclutch; tediban; tedspacificpartners; topicdilution; trump; trumpuniversity; usualsuspect; willthemudstick
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last
To: bert
I just wanted folks to know you have no real experience and are not a very good judge on matters pertaining to business

Since you obviously do then let me ask you some questions. How many times have your businesses been subject to class actions suits? How many times have they been sued by a state Attorney General? How many times have they been forced to shut down by a state government? Are all those indications of a reputable business?

21 posted on 03/20/2016 5:21:27 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong
98% satisfied customer ratings does not usually indicate crooked business practices.

Class action suits, suits from state Attorney Generals, and being forced to stop doing business in a state usually do.

22 posted on 03/20/2016 5:22:31 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: DoodleDawg

that’s all irrelevant as is all you post


23 posted on 03/20/2016 5:29:18 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: DoodleDawg

#21 Don’t forget how many times have you been sued by the state for misrepresenting yourself as a University and then change the name of this scam and shut it down.

Then run out and use the BBB last rating of that renamed shell company that is shut down.

And

How many times when asked about the scam business did they produce a document claiming it was just faxed to them by the BBB in the middle of a debate in the evening. (Detroit Debate) only to be proven to be a lie later.


24 posted on 03/20/2016 5:33:29 AM PDT by VRWCarea51 (The original 1998 version)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: bert

#23 if it is all irrelevant why are you here trying to defend it, why are there currently 3 lawsuits and most importantly why did a judge dismiss trumos counter suit force him to pay those legal fees and move the case forward?

You guys sound like the defenders of Bill Clinton in the Monica/Paula Jones B.S.!


25 posted on 03/20/2016 5:40:49 AM PDT by VRWCarea51 (The original 1998 version)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong

I keep asking the same question and getting no answer. How many students were there? Does the 10,000 surveys represent the entirety of those who took the course?


26 posted on 03/20/2016 5:47:42 AM PDT by Stegall Tx (If Republicans choose a liberal candidate, they have chosen to lose my vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: bert
that’s all irrelevant as is all you post

It's all irrelevant to Trumpsters, and are any posts that don't honor their champion.

27 posted on 03/20/2016 6:01:54 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: DoodleDawg
"Millions of business owners manage to operate their businesses without being sued for fraud."

It's interesting to compare Trump with Michael Bloomberg. They are both about the same age, the same educational background, the same political philosophy, the same city, etc. Bloomberg didn't inherit millions from his father. Yet Bloomberg is worth billions and billions more than Trump, he earned his billions in business by creating wealth for his clients through high tech information, he didn't stiff any of his creditors for billions, and he isn't plagued by "nuisance" lawsuits.

Why wouldn't the Trum-pets prefer Bloomberg?

28 posted on 03/20/2016 6:02:33 AM PDT by norwaypinesavage (The Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: VRWCarea51

None of that matters to Trump Chumps.


29 posted on 03/20/2016 6:02:38 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: bert
This forum is populated by people who criticize many other people in fields the people doing the criticizing have never done or never will do. Should we stop criticizing people just because we've never done their jobs?

I don't know anything about Trump's "university" or his legal problems with his university. But whatever, he's certainly ripe for criticism like anybody else in any business or occupation.

30 posted on 03/20/2016 6:04:03 AM PDT by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

T entire suit is phony from beginning till now.


31 posted on 03/20/2016 6:15:30 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sacajaweau
On April 30, 2010, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, LLP filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against Trump University, along with the law firm of Zeldes & Haeggquist, LLP (www.zhlaw.com), on behalf of consumers who were duped into purchasing Trump University real estate investing seminars.

If this suit is a phony, why hasn't it been thrown out long before now?

32 posted on 03/20/2016 6:32:38 AM PDT by Elderberry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Elderberry
Most of it was thrown out.

It's called politics, dirty lawyers and judges.

There were 5 people in that class action lawsuit. Now, the original initiator of the suit wants out. She actually made a video of how much she enjoyed the seminars.

I've gone to many seminars...because they're mandatory for me to keep my license. I've been licensed for 30 years....and this mandatory ed has only been around for about 10 years. It's supposed to make you better at your job. It's a crock. 90% of the classes aren't even applicable. A few folks are making some big bucks off these mandatory seminars.

33 posted on 03/20/2016 6:46:17 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Sacajaweau

“Most of it was thrown out.”

????
TRUMP UNIVERSITY LAWSUIT UPDATES

On February 8, 2016, Plaintiff Tarla Makaeff filed with the court a Motion to withdraw as a class representative and named plaintiff. The matter is fully briefed and pending to be heard by the Court on March 11, 2016. Redacted copies of Plaintiff’s briefing can be found here:

• Opening Brief and Exhibits
• Reply Brief and Exhibits (including excerpts of Donald Trump’s deposition transcript)

On November 18, 2015, the Court issued an Order primarily denying Donald Trump and Trump University’s Motion for Summary Judgment. The Court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims for injunctive relief, but otherwise denied Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, holding that the case may proceed to trial on Plaintiffs’ claims for:

(1) Violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”),
(2) California’s False Advertising Law (“FAL”),
(3) California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”),
(4) Financial elder abuse under California law, Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code Section 15600
(5) Violation of New York’s consumer protection statute, Section 349 of NY’s General Bus. Law
(6) Violation of Florida’s consumer protection statute and elder abuse law, Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (“FDUTPA”) and Misleading Advertising Law (“MAL”)
(2)

On September 21, 2015, Class Notice was mailed to potential class members throughout the country to advise of their rights and provide an opportunity to “opt out” or identify themselves as California or Florida senior citizen class members.

Please see http://www.trumpuniversitylitigation.com for more information and important documents. You can also click on following to view the Mailed Notice, Long-Form Notice, and Postcard for Individuals Over 60.

On September 18, 2015, the Court issued an Order granting in part and denying in part the motion to decertify the classes.

On October 27, 2014, the Court in a RICO class action against Donald Trump issued an Order granting class certification of a nationwide class of all students who purchased live event seminars from Trump University from January 1, 2007 to the present. For more information regarding this Order, please visit our blog here.

On June 17, 2014, the Southern District Court issued an Order granting Plaintiff Tarla Makaeff’s Anti-SLAPP motion against Trump University, LLC (“Trump”), thereby dismissing Trump’s specious $1 million defamation counter-claim against Makaeff. While the victory came more than four years after Trump filed its counterclaim, Makaeff’s case resulted in an important reaffirmation of the applicability of the anti-SLAPP law in federal court.

Because Makeaff’s statements arose from protected activity and Trump could not show a probability of prevailing on its defamation claim, the court granted Makaeff’s anti-SLAPP motion. The California Anti-SLAPP Project, a leader in protecting First Amendment Rights, published a thorough article discussing Makaeff’s Anti-SLAPP motion, which can be found by visiting their website here.

On February 21, 2014, the Southern District Court issued an Order granting in part Plaintiffs’ Motion to Certify a class action against Trump University, LLC and Donald J. Trump. The Court certified a class on behalf of all persons who purchased a Trump University three-day live “Fulfillment” workshop and/or “Elite” program (“Live Events”) in California, New York and Florida. The Court appointed Zeldes Haeggquist & Eck, LLP and Robbins Geller Rudman & Down, LLP as class counsel.

Also on February 21, 2014, the Southern District Court issued an Order denying Donald J. Trump’s motion to dismiss Plaintiff Art Cohen’s RICO complaint against Trump asserting violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO Statute”), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c).

On November 27, 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal issued an Order denying Trump University’s petition for re-hearing en banc in regard to the Ninth Circuit’s Order reversing the dismissal of Plaintiff’s Anti-SLAPP motion.

On October 18, 2013, Plaintiff Art Cohen filed a RICO complaint against Donald Trump, asserting violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO Statute”), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c).

On April 17, 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal issued an Order reversing the district court’s denial of Plaintiff Tarla Makaeff’s Anti-SLAPP motion. The Court held that Trump University is considered a “limited public figure,” due to its extensive advertising campaign, and thus would have to prove that Makaeff acted with actual malice when she accused it of fraud, in order to prevail on its defamation claim.

On September 26, 2012, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint.

On September 24, 2012, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification.

On October 12, 2010, the Southern District of California issued an Order upholding our first amended class action complaint against Trump University as to nearly all claims, including claims for breach of contract, false advertising, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law (finding Plaintiffs stated a claim that Trump University’s conduct was unlawful, unfair and… fraudulent) and Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), with leave to amend as to the other claims.

A Second Amended Complaint was filed on December 16, 2010.

Trump University has also been named “Rogue of the Week” by the Willamette Week.

On October 12, 2010, the Southern District of California issued an Order upholding our first amended class action complaint against Trump University as to nearly all claims, including claims for breach of contract, false advertising, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), with leave to amend as to the other claims.

We are happy to report that the Court on May 17, 2011 issued and Order Denying Donald Trump’s Motion to Dismiss and Order denying Trump University’s Motion to Dismiss, upholding Plaintiffs claims for against both Donald Trump and Trump University for Fraud, Misrepresentation, Violation of the Unfair Competition Law, Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and False Advertising.


34 posted on 03/20/2016 6:54:08 AM PDT by Elderberry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: DoodleDawg

One of the remaining plaintiffs is asking to drop out. I think the glowing evaluations of Trump university will bring to question are you lying now or were you lying then.

Just being taught something does not guarantee you will use it or be savvy enough to manage a business you tried to learn. The fault often lies in the student.


35 posted on 03/20/2016 6:54:55 AM PDT by nclaurel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

What about the millions of students who have mortgage-sized student loan debts and still can’t find a job in their field. When is their trial?


36 posted on 03/20/2016 6:56:21 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Yuge 2016r)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mosesdapoet

Talked about a closed mind not one Cruz supporter is willing to face without some excuse how Cruz has become part of the establishment that we want to end.

If the Bush dynasty backing Cruz and now the loser Romney isn’t enough, your closed mind may remain so. And Romney even admits he backs Cruz only to get a brokered convention so Cruz also can be replaced and Cruz thanks him.

What will be Cruz reward knowing they intend to discard him at convention?


37 posted on 03/20/2016 7:01:31 AM PDT by nclaurel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Elderberry

One of the attorney at that law firm William Lerach pleaded guilty in 2007 to a $251 million client-kickback scheme and spent 19 months in jail.

If I were looking for a respectable firm, I would not choose one that a recent former partner was Lerach. But as my nephew an attorney says you can sue a ham sandwich.


38 posted on 03/20/2016 7:13:49 AM PDT by nclaurel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: mosesdapoet

“”””Now it starts ! Many warned of this. As the Trumpkins are going to be tied up in knots all campaign long defending their hero unnecessatily because instead of keeping an open mind they closed it . This guy has a bunch of legal suits comming and should have never been a candidate. “”””””

Governor Palin had a ton of frivilous lawsuits filed against her also.


39 posted on 03/20/2016 7:15:06 AM PDT by shelterguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: DoodleDawg

He had to drop University from the name. Actually they closed the real estate training program after Abbott asked for information, and rather than provide the information decided to close the business down themselves. I’ll agree that the endeavor, no where near, lived up to the sales pitches that were made, the why is what no one really knows for sure. Not one of his better moments to be sure.


40 posted on 03/20/2016 7:55:08 AM PDT by Robert DeLong (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson