A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit alleging Donald Trump was involved with a fraudulent marketing company several weeks before it was set to go to trial. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2018, alleges that in exchange for “secret” payments totaling millions of dollars, Trump used his reality TV show “The Celebrity Apprentice” and other promotional events as vehicles to boost ACN Opportunity, a telecommunications marketing company linked to a nonprofit that used Trump’s brand to appeal to teens. “Even though discovery has been completed and certain motions decided, retaining jurisdiction would not serve economy or convenience,” the order said. “Today’s decision addresses only where – not if – plaintiffs’ claims should be brought to trial. We intend to continue the fight, and our brave clients look forward to their day in court,” said Roberta Kaplan, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

Source: CNN January 13, 2024 01:10 UTC