Trump Resort Loses Lawsuit, And This Time He Can’t Fire the Judge

Originally posted February 2, 2017

Trump’s Company Loses Lawsuit Filed By Golf Club Members : The Two-Way : NPR

The president’s business cancelled memberships in the National Jupiter Golf Club, but kept the fees. A federal court has ruled the company must refund nearly $6 million.

The case began in 2012 when Trump bought the struggling golf club from Marriott Vacations Worldwide. He paid $5 million – a bargain at the time. But as part of the deal, he had to assume some $50 million in debt, money owed to members who put down refundable deposits and now wanted out of the club.

In a letter and a meeting with club members, the company told those who wanted out, they would have to continue to pay annual dues but couldn’t use the club. Plus, they wouldn’t receive their refunds until new members were found to replace them, a process that might take years.

Some say it was a serious breech of the contract between the club members and the golf club, and the money should have been returned. Others are saying it was a “smooth business deal” which allowed the Trump company to use the money belonging to club members to get his suffering business back on it’s feet. Either way, the federal judge has ruled that the Trump company was in the wrong and now must pay back the club members with interest.

While Trump wasn’t personally named in the suit, his videotaped deposition was played in court and his son Eric testified at the trial.

Also:

Trump Jupiter Golf Club Loses Lawsuit, Must Pay Ex-Members $5M

Source: Trump Jupiter Golf Club Loses Lawsuit, Must Pay Ex-Members $5M -NBC News

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