sorry, but I cannot hold myself

Trump University a Scam, Suit Claims
Students say they spent thousands of dollars and got nothing in return

By Jon Hood
ConsumerAffairs.com

May 5, 2010

A group of consumers has filed suit against Trump University, the financial institution that holds itself out as a vehicle to instant wealth and happiness, alleging that the only thing they got from the school was a massive amount of debt.

According to the suit, Trump University promises big things, assuring consumers that "it's the 'next best thing' to being Donald Trump's next 'Apprentice." Indeed, the company's website promises that students can, depending on their goals, "become the next real estate mogul," "become your own success story," or "learn wealth strategies."

But the plaintiffs say it didn't take long before they realized that "[t]he primary lesson Trump University teaches its students is how to spend more money buying more Trump seminars."

According to the complaint, when the plaintiffs first arrived at Trump University, the faculty sought to reassure them about the high cost of the seminars they were being offered. Specifically, the plaintiffs say they were told they would get all their money back at their first real estate closing, and that they stood to make "tens of thousands of dollars" every month after that. And, in addition to the seminars, the plaintiffs say they were promised, among other things "a one-year apprenticeship, a one-on-one mentorship ... [and] a 'power team' consisting of real estate [professionals]."

Lead plaintiff spent $60,000
As it turned out, Trump University might have oversold itself a bit. According to the suit, the one-year apprenticeship turned out to be a three-day seminar; the one-on-one mentorship, paradoxically, "consisted of no practical insights and no mentorship"; and the members of the "power team" were only interested in lining their own pockets.

The suit also says students were asked to raise their credit card limits and prepare "detailed financial statements," ostensibly so that they would have enough money to cover their first real estate investment opportunity. In reality, though, the plaintiffs claim Trump University was just making sure that the students would have enough money to cover the Trump Gold Program, which clocks in at an eye-popping $34,995.

According to the suit, lead plaintiff Tarla Makaeff was talked into signing up for the program after Trump University speaker Tiffany Brinkman guaranteed that her first real estate deal "would earn her in the ballpark of $35,000." Makaeff spent $60,000 on Trump courses over a one-year period, and ended up having to turn down the only two real estate deals that came her way, as "both were flawed and appeared unprofitable."

Allegations resemble other suits
Unfortunately, Trump University isn't unique. Last September, a suit against Millionaire University claimed that students spent over $20,000 on "real estate investment opportunities," only to end up with property that no one was willing to buy. The homes were in "high crime, highly vandalized areas," and, in case that wasn't enough, Millionaire University saturated neighborhoods with "five or more of the same model home...in close proximity to one another," making resale almost impossible.

Trump University was founded by Donald Trump, the real estate tycoon and host of The Apprentice, the NBC reality show in which contestants compete to be Trump's second-hand man. The school's home page features a characteristically intense-looking Trump next to the headline, "Are YOU My Next Apprentice? Prove it to me!" A button below the challenge instructs visitors to "Join Now. It's Free."

The plaintiffs are demanding a full refund for the money they spent on Trump University courses, an injunction prohibiting Trump from falsely advertising the school, and all suit-related costs, including attorneys' fees. The suit alleges breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and violation of several California consumer protection statutes.

(http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/05/trump_univ_suit.html)

missing modesty

Donald Trump demands $5 million from Morrison Cohen LLP, claiming it used his name for advertising purposes on its Web site without his permission, in New York County Court.

(http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/08/11/New_Complaints.htm#Celebrity)

Trump University Class Action Lawsuit Filed!

Trump University Class Action Lawsuit Filed! A nationwide Trump University (40 Wall Street, New York, NY) consumer fraud class action lawsuit has been filed!

To be a part of the Trump University class action lawsuit, get involved in the case OR provide information about your experience. CONTACT the class action law firm handling the case: Zeldes & Haeggquist, LLP
619-342-8000
ambere@zhlaw.com
www.zhlaw.com
(April 2010)


And what do people have to say about it?


Kathy (Agoura Hills California, USA) (Sep. 2009): “I explained to Bill Harford that I wished to invoke my right to cancel “Wealth Building Seminar” (within the three days) because I will not be able to attend the Wealth Building Weekend to be held March 27, 28 and 29 2009. At the time of signing up for this seminar I was assured that there would be closer locations and other dates to choose from in the near future. After reviewing the scheduled dates and times I found that there were no closer locations for this seminar... No credit was ever issued. I wrote again on Friday, May 22, 2009 requesting the credit that they promised. I am willing to partake in a class action lawsuit.”

Rosy (Windsor, Connecticut, U.S.A.): I attended one of Trumps free seminars on Saturday, February 9, 2009. I signed up for the 3 day seminar and paid more than $3000. After reading most of the information and making a few contacts, i realized that this was a scam. I immediately contacted the Trump Institute and returned the documents in the required time for me to get my full refund. They were confirmed as received on 2/20/09 and was promised a refund to my credit card within 10 business days. I have been calling to resolve the matter and to date, I still have not received my refund. I have documentation of the calls and the receipts and would like to know what else to do and how your office could help. I have all the information.

Biggrizzly12 (Massillon, OhioU.S.A.): “I signed up for the course with my wife at the end of July 2007. As it ended up, it has become more like a weekly conversation at an investor's meeting (simply payin $15000.00 to shoot the breeze for 14 weeks). The program is not structured at all. If I didnt have any topics to discuss the person on the other end of the line and myself would remain silent on the phone...One coach already quit over the stress with job of delivering empty dreams....Now if Trump really does not want his name associated with a bad operation, then he will go in and clean house. I wish to have a refund. I have given a great effort to make this program work and given Rosper every opportunity to make this work and it is failing......The idea of someone several states away giving empty advice at best from several time zones away just does not work. This program just needs to go away and call it a failed experiment....It bothered me when I found out Trump had never personally been out to Provo to have personal ontact with Rosper.”

The Never-Built Trump Tower Tampa

30 individuals and companies filed (Nov. 2009) a joint lawsuit against The Trump Organization and Donald Trump, saying they were duped into thinking Trump was building the tower. Trump revealed in May 2007 he had only licensed his name for the tower and was not an actual member of the development team when he sued for more than $1 million he said SimDag/RoBEL owed him.

In January 2010, another flock of Floridians has joined a lawsuit against Donald Trump, alleging the New York real estate tycoon defrauded them of their deposits on the never-built Trump Tower Tampa. To recount, Trump licensed his name to developers of the proposed 52-story luxury condo tower in return for half the profits. But at the launch of the $300-million project in 2005 The Donald's braggadocio may have gotten the better of him. On at least one occasion he was quoted in the press suggesting he was a partner and developer in the project. In truth, Trump and Trump Co. were not partners or developers in Trump Tower, and had only sold the “Trump” name to use in inducing buyers to purchase units. The Plaintiffs all purchased units of various sizes with the understanding that they were buying a Trump development, when in actuality they were buying a project developed by SimDag/Robel, LLC. About 25 depositors sued Trump last fall. Lawyers updated paperwork to bring the plaintiff's total to 40 or thereabouts