Trump Files $100M Suit Over Golf Course

Mogul: city aims to 'stymie everything I do'

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2008 11:20 AM CST

(Newser) – Donald Trump is taking his ongoing battle over a California golf course to court, the Los Angeles Times reports. Trump bought the course in Rancho Palos Verdes 6 years ago and wooed city officials by sprucing it up. Then came battles over land, ficus trees, and a street he wanted to rename after himself. "The town does everything possible to stymie everything I do," said Trump after filing the $100 million lawsuit.

“We have bent over backwards many, many times to work with Donald Trump,” countered the city’s mayor. Angry residents refer to Trump's plan for Trump National Drive as "Ego Aisle" or "Narcissism Lane." Trump's lawsuit accuses the city of fraud and civil rights violations because officials are blocking changes needed to keep the "Trump image" up to snuff, the LAT notes.

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US property tycoon Donald Trump holds a press conference at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland, Tuesday June 10, 2008. (AP Photo / David Cheskin, PA)

In this photo release by Gillette, Tiger Woods helps Linda Foulkes, of Dayton, Ohio, line up a putt during the Gillette Fusion "Play a Champion with Dad" event at Trump National Golf Course, Tuesday Oct.... (AP Photo/Gillette, Rene Macura)

Golf bags are seen on the driving range at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Thursday, June 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Daily Breeze, Scott Varley)

Donald Trump arrives for a Trump event in this Jan. 17, 2007 file photo taken in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. An author doesn't have to reveal his sources for a book in which he claimed Donald... (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok, FILE)

Players use the driving range at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Thursday, June 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Daily Breeze, Scott Varley)

Tina Barrett hits a bunker shot to the 4th green during the final round of the Office Depot Championship at the Trump National Golf Club on October 2, 2005 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. (Getty Images)

Catriona Matthew of Scotland hits a tee shot on the 1st hole during the final round of the Office Depot Championship at the Trump National Golf Club on October 2, 2005 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. (Getty Images)

Donald Trump speaks at the groundbreaking of The Trump National Golf Club on January 14, 2005 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. (Getty Images)

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The law does not require the city or any regulators to allow him to have whatever he may wake up one morning and want. - Councilman Douglas Stern

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Trump Files $100M Suit Over Golf Course