With a judge currently hearing a case against Trump University, in which former students claim the institution amounted to little more than a Ponzi scheme, Trump has taken an unusual tactic to defend himself: racism, maintaining that the judge has a conflict of interest because of his "Mexican ancestry" and Trump’s consistent habit of insulting Mexicans.
But according to a new report from USA Today, the billionaire also has problems paying his bills.
"…[Trump] has been involved in more than 3,500 lawsuits in the past three decades – and a large number of those involve ordinary Americans who say Trump or his companies have refused to pay them," the report reads.
One such case involves Edward Friel Jr., a carpenter from Philadelphia. He was contracted to perform $83,600 worth of work constructing "bases for slot machines, registration desks, bars and other cabinets at Harrah’s at Trump Plaza."
Friel was never paid and his company was ultimately forced to declare bankruptcy.
At least 60 lawsuits accuse the billionaire and his businesses of failing to pay debts. Over 200 liens have been filed for similar reasons, for debts ranging from $75,000 to $1 million.
Many of the accusations are ongoing. Trump Miami Resort Management LLC settled with 48 servers who accused the company of failing to pay overtime wages just last month.
On 24 occasions, Trump’s companies have been reported to be in violation of the Fair Labor Act for failing to meet minimum wage or overtime requirements.
Speaking to USA Today, Trump dismissed most of the accusations as examples of his businesses withholding funds for unsatisfactory work.
"Let’s say that they do a job that’s not good, or a job that they didn’t finish, or a job that was way late. I’ll deduct from their contract, absolutely," he said. "That’s what the country should be doing."
But the high number of accusations calls his explanation into question, and suggests, instead, that the culture of shady business dealings within the Trump network is endemic. Some of those underpaid by Trump have directly refuted Trump’s claim.
Rana Williams is a real estate broker from New York City. She sued Trump in 2013 for failing to pay $735,212 in owed commissions. She claims that the billionaire decided to pay her less than her contracted commission rate "based on nothing more than whimsy."
While the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has consistently touted his business bonafides, his entrepreneurial practices have been repeatedly called into question. It’s much easier to gather a billion dollars and call it yours when you refuse to pay people.
