Judge denies Trump’s attempt to dismiss lawsuit

Suit over failed Ft. Lauderdale project moves forward

From let: Trump International Hotel and Tower in Ft. Lauderdale and Donald Trump
From let: Trump International Hotel and Tower in Ft. Lauderdale and Donald Trump

From the South Florida site: The Broward Circuit Court lawsuit against celebrity developer Donald Trump is moving forward.

Broward Circuit Judge Jeffrey Streitfeld rejected Trump’s request to dismiss the $8 million lawsuit filed by investors in the scuttled Trump International Hotel & Tower in Fort Lauderdale, Daily Business Review reported. Streitfeld also rebuffed a motion to dismiss Trump’s counterclaims filed by the investors, who claim Trump fraudulently misled them into believing he was the developer of the 24-story mixed-use project. The property is now owned by a partnership tied to Conrad Hilton.

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The investors are seeking to get their condo-hotel deposits back. Much of the tower was constructed, but the project was never completed.

Both sides are scheduled to return for a Feb. 7 hearing on the validity of an expert witness in the case. Jury selection is expected to begin on Feb. 13. [Daily Business Review]Eric Kalis