A federal judge has approved a deal in which President Trump will fork over $25 million to settle lawsuits over his now-defunct Trump University, which former students charged was a scam.
The decision Friday by US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel in San Diego ends nearly seven years of legal battles with customers who claimed they were misled by failed promises that they too could be real estate kingpins if only they took Trump’s pricey courses.
The ruling settles two class-action lawsuits and a civil lawsuit by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Trump had vowed never to settle but after the election said that he didn’t have time for a trial, even though he believed he would have prevailed.
Under terms of the settlement, he admits no wrongdoing.
Attorneys for the customers say thousands will get at least 90 percent of their money back.
Schneiderman in a statement hailed the ruling and bashed Trump for years of stalling.
“Today’s final approval by a judge of our Trump University settlement will provide relief – and hopefully much-needed closure – to the victims of Donald Trump’s fraudulent university,” he said.
“Trump University’s victims waited years for compensation, while President Trump refused to settle and fought us every step of the way – until his stunning reversal last fall.”
Team Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
With AP