NEW YORK -- Donald Trump was declared the winner Wednesday in a Manhattan lawsuit brought by a man demanding a share of royalties for a board game named after the real estate tycoon.
The verdict came just as news reports declared that Trump had become engaged to girlfriend Marla Maples.
A six-member jury in state Supreme Court unanimously declared Trump owed nothing to Manhattan attorney Stuart Ross, who claimed he had been hired to act as an agent in licensing 'Trump -- the Game.'
Trump testified at the trial that he did not make a contract with Ross; he also said all the game royalties were turned over to charity after being deposited with the Trump Foundation, but did not produce records to prove it.
'Winning is great,' said Trump attorney Steven Hayes after the verdict was returned following just one day of deliberations.
'None of us needs to pay out a couple hundred thousand dollars,' the attorney added, when asked if the verdict eased money worries for the financially beleaguered former billionaire.
Trump was not at court for the verdict.
Ross, who said he has been involved in licensing enterprises such as the Smurfs, the Chipmunks and Felix the Cat, said he suggested the idea of a board game to Trump and was promised 25 percent of royalties as an agent to make arrangements with a game manufacturer.
'Trump -- The Game,' was licensed without help from Ross to the Milton Bradley Co. and released two years ago, earning royalties of $866,800 since then.
