Trump Tower Tampa's former buyers sue Donald Trump

Donald Trump was sued Thursday by two dozen erstwhile condo buyers in never-built Trump Tower Tampa.

The buyers, who lost part of their 20 percent deposits when the $300-million project went bankrupt last year, accuse Trump of fraudulently claiming to be a development partner when he was only lending his name to the building for a licensing fee.

The 600-foot skyscraper at 100 S. Ashley Drive was supposed to be the tallest building in west Florida. The 190 condos inside were to be equally upscale, costing from $700,000 to $600,000.

The plaintiffs, including retirees who complain about losing their life savings, seek unspecified damages from the New York real estate tycoon. Tower developer SimDag Robel LLC lost the riverfront lot to foreclosure this year.

News of the Trump lawsuit leaked out two weeks ago, but the paperwork wasn't filed until Thursday.