SAN DIEGO (AP) — A federal judge in San Diego has said he wanted a trial by the middle of this year in a class-action lawsuit against Donald Trump by students of Trump University who say they were defrauded. That was before the real estate mogul appeared headed for the Republican presidential nomination.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is expected to address timing at a final pretrial conference Friday.

Trump's lawyers have already signaled opposition to a trial while Trump is in the race. Trump is on a list of defense witnesses who may be called to testify.

The case is one of three lawsuits that accuse Trump University of fleecing students with unfilled promises to teach secrets of success in real estate at seminars that cost up to $35,000.

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