ALBANY, NY-New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Saturday his office had filed a $40-million lawsuit against Donald Trump charging the developer promised students of his “Trump University” riches, but instead directed them to costly seminars and programs.
Attorney General Schneiderman said many of the 5,000 students who paid up to $35,000 thought they would meet Trump, but instead had their picture taken in front of a life-size picture of Trump, according to the Associated Press.
“Trump University engaged in deception at every stage of consumers' advancement through costly programs and caused real financial harm," Mr. Schneiderman said. "Trump University, with Donald Trump's knowledge and participation, relied on Trump's name recognition and celebrity status to take advantage of consumers who believed in the Trump brand."
Trump has fired back in broadcast and print outlets stating that the litigation, filed in New York State Supreme Court, is politically motivated.
Attorney Michael D. Cohen, who represents Trump, said Trump and Trump University did not defraud anyone. He says that Trump University provided approximately 11,000 testimonials to the Attorney General from students praising the program. A total of 98% of students in a survey termed the program "excellent,” Trump officials have stated.
“The attorney general has been angry because he felt that Mr. Trump and his various companies should have done much more for him in terms of fundraising," Cohen said. "This entire investigation is politically motivated and it is a tremendous waste of taxpayers' money." See story in the Wall Street Journal.
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