Donald Trump, GOP candidate for president, is facing two civil lawsuits from former students of his now-defunct Trump University real estate seminars. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI |
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SAN DIEGO, June 21 (UPI) -- Lawyers for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have told a federal judge Monday they will agree to make transcripts of his testimony in two depositions related to the Trump University lawsuits public, but they want the videotapes kept private.
Trump's lawyers argued in a filing before federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel last week that the videotapes of the depositions would prove harmful to Trump's presidential campaign because his opponents and the media would use out-of-context "soundbites" of his testimony. His lawyers also argued the tapes would taint a perspective jury pool because of the wide media coverage they would generate.
Trump's lawyers also argued in last week's filing that the videos are duplicative in nature because most of what is contained in them has been made public through transcripts in other court filings. While Trump's lawyers initially opposed the document release, they now argue the transcripts are fair game for the public, but the tapes are not.
"The video files Media Intervenors seek are duplicative of the deposition transcripts of Mr. Trump's testimony, none of which remains designated 'confidential.' Public disclosure of the video files -- which may never be used at trial -- serves only to harass and unfairly prejudice Mr. Trump," his lawyers wrote.
A coalition of media organizations filed a request with the court to lift the confidential designations on all transcripts and videotapes, arguing that given Trump's position as a presidential candidate, the public's right to know what the evidence in the case is outweighs privacy concerns for Trump and others associated with the case.
Trump is facing two civil lawsuits from former students of his now-defunct Trump University real estate seminars. The students allege they paid thousands of dollars to learn Trump's real estate secrets, but now say the classes were worthless. Trump has denied the claims, saying the classes were worthwhile. He said many students agreed and those who did not were offered the opportunity to quit and get a refund.
Curiel, the same judge who Trump said was not treating him fairly in the case because of his Mexican heritage and Trump's tough stance on illegal immigration, has yet to hear arguments on the filings.
Trump U filing by United Press International
