The Trump University lawsuit can move forward without one of its original plaintiffs after a federal judge granted her request to stay out of the limelight.
Yoga instructor Tara Makaeff asked the judge to remove her after she said the case, now in its sixth year, had become an emotional and financial burden. Making matters worse, when she filed the case she didn't realize Trump would run for President of the United States.
Makaeff's class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of several people who claim they paid thousands of dollars to the now-defunct Trump University, but got little in return.
Trump is fighting back. His attorneys argued it's too late for Makaeff to withdraw from the case since she is the main plaintiff.
Judge Gonzalo Curiel wrote "Makaeff has undoubtedly suffered stress as a result of this litigation", including stress from a counter-suit filed by Trump, but said that stress had been present for a long time. However, Curiel felt Makaeff had a good argument about Trump's candidacy, especially since other candidates have called him out for the Trump University lawsuit.
"Neither pundits, counsel, or the parties anticipated the media obsession that this case would create due to defendant Trump becoming a candidate for President of the United States," Curiel wrote.
There were two conditions attached to the judge's order allowing Makaeff to walk away. Makaeff will not be protected from any further lawsuits filed by Trump, nor is she guaranteed relief from legal costs.
She has seven days to decide whether to accept the conditions.
10News reached out to Makaeff's attorney for comment. We were told there is nothing new to report at this time.
