Judge approves $25M settlement in suit against Trump University
President Donald Trump. stock_photo_world / Shutterstock, Inc.
A federal judge targeted by Donald Trump during the presidential campaign gave final approval on Friday to a $25 million settlement in a suit against Trump University.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel approved the settlement after considering objections by a Florida bankruptcy lawyer who said she wanted a trial and an apology, report the New York Times, Politico, the San Diego Union-Tribune and USA Today. The order is here (PDF).
The deal settles two class action lawsuits filed in San Diego and a separate suit filed by the state of New York. More than 3,700 class members will receive 80 to 90 percent of what they paid for the real estate seminars and mentorships. The plaintiffs’ lawyers handled the case for free.
The suits had alleged the real estate course touted expert advice by Trump’s hand-picked professionals, but the courses delivered nothing more than generic advice. The typical cost was $1,500 for a three-day course and $35,000 for the “Gold Elite” program.
Trump had said during the campaign that the judge was “very hostile” and “a hater of Donald Trump.” He also said he thought Curiel was Mexican, although he was born in Indiana.
