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The Donald wins $3 million -- over dirt?
Report: Real estate mogul wins case involving funds paid for dirt hauled from property.
November 9, 2005: 7:03 AM EST
Donald Trump reportedly won a $3 million to $4 million vedict in a case involving dirt hauled from one of his properties.
Donald Trump reportedly won a $3 million to $4 million vedict in a case involving dirt hauled from one of his properties.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Donald Trump reportedly has scored a multi-million verdict in a case involving dirt hauled from a property he's developing.

The New York Post reported that a county judge in Westchester, N.Y., ruled in favor of Trump and against Columbus Construction Corp. of Mount Vernon, N.Y. The paper said the company excavated dirt from the building site of the Trump Briarcliff Manor Development, which includes a golf course and homes.

Trump's lawyer, Y. David Scharf, told the paper the verdict would come to about $4 million to cover damages plus interest and legal fees. Columbus Construction's lawyer, Stanley Zinner, told the paper the final figure would be closer to $3 million and that his client is considering an appeal.

The paper reported that Judge Kenneth Rudolph found no evidence that Columbus intentionally overcharged Trump.

But Rudolph ruled that Columbus' decision to voluntarily leave the project, after Trump decided to withhold payment for future work, constituted a material breach of contract, the report said.

Columbus argued its trucks had carted away the required amount of dirt, according to the paper, while Trump's attorney argued their survey found the actual excavation to be 1.4 million cubic yards less than what Columbus claimed.

"Just because he's a billionaire doesn't mean he's going to stand idly by when people try to take things that don't belong to them," Scharf told the paper.

For a look at plans to have Donald Trump's voice as a cell phone ring tone, click here.  Top of page

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