A federal appeals court has upheld a $25 million settlement against Donald Trump over his defunct Trump University program, paving the way for thousands of victims to receive compensation. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled unanimously on Tuesday, rejecting an attempt by one plaintiff to opt out of the deal.
The settlement resolves lawsuits filed in New York and California, which claimed that Trump University—a series of real-estate seminars rather than a registered university—failed to deliver on promises to teach attendees how to get rich quickly. Many students paid up to $35,000 for lessons from so-called experts, with Trump appearing in adverts boasting that clients would make a million dollars in a year.
Payment had been delayed for over a year after plaintiff Sherri Simpson sought to pursue her own lawsuit. The three-judge panel found that US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel had ample reason to approve the settlement. Curiel had been criticised by Trump during the 2016 election campaign, who accused him of bias due to his Mexican heritage.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the approval means victims of Trump's fraudulent university will soon receive the relief they deserve. Amber Eck, a leading attorney in the California class action, expressed delight that the court agreed the settlement was fair and reasonable.
