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Judge denies request for new trial in Trump dispute

Trump asking for reimbursement of $55k in court costs

26-Aug-13 – A U.S. District Court judge has denied a request for a new trial by a real estate investor who unsuccessfully sued River North companies owned by Donald Trump.

Jacqueline Goldberg claimed fraud, breach of contract, and other charges over an agreement to buy two condominium units at Trump International Hotel & Tower. A jury decided against Goldberg on two counts of her $6 million lawsuit on May 23. Eight days later, Judge Amy St. Eve decided against her on two more counts. A fifth count was decided in Trump’s favor last October.

Photo by Steven Dahlman The trial brought Trump (left) and other executives to Chicago to testify. Goldberg was suing 401 North Wabash Venture, LLC and Trump Chicago Managing Member, LLC, both owned by the Trump Organization.

In filing the motion for a new trial, Goldberg’s attorneys, Shelly Kulwin and his brother, Jeffrey, claimed numerous errors were made before and during the trial. The decision rejecting their motion was filed on August 23.

Meanwhile, Trump’s attorneys, Novack and Macey, LLP, lead by Stephen Novack, are asking for reimbursement of $55,130.20 in expenses. That would not include attorney’s fees but does include transcripts, depositions, other documents, photocopies, docket fees, and costs to get witnesses to Chicago for depositions and the trial. One expert witness, Brent Howie, founder and president of a condo-hotel management company in Florida, billed $5,995 for his services and expenses, according to a court document.

The Kulwins have asked St. Eve to give them until September 12 to respond to the request, saying they are still digesting the August 23 ruling.

 Related story: Trump wins last two counts of lawsuit