Madera County investors into a Donald Trump development said banking on Trump was a big mistake

MADERA COUNTY (KFSN) -- Many Donald Trump supporters said they admire his skills as a businessman, but a Madera couple has a different view. They said banking on Trump was a big mistake.

A promotional video featured Donald Trump selling the Trump Ocean Resort Baja back in 2007. It was a convincing pitch for Mike Rodriguez and Sylvia Villavicencio and others who got Trump fever at a sales seminar in San Diego.

"Oh Donald Trump, oh Donald Trump, it's going to be wonderful," said Villavicencio.

Rodriguez is a developer and real estate broker in Madera County and said he was told Trump was behind the project all the way.

"They told us not to worry, that if for some reason they couldn't get financing Mr. Trump would build it out of his pocket-- he's so rich he could do that."

But he didn't. The project in Baja ended with a big hole in the ground. Many who bought condo's got nothing back.

Trump's daughter, Ivanka claimed the family just franchised their name to the project and had no responsibility for the losses. Villavicencio doesn't accept the explanation.

"I know we are very disappointed and we are very upset and angry."

And Rodriguez said he's learned a lesson.

"I used to be like the people who are with him right now, I used to think he was the most successful person in the United States, now, I don't think nothing like that anymore. "

The couple spent years in court, and because of confidentiality agreements can't talk about how it all ended for them. But made it clear, they won't be voting for Trump.

The failure of the project which started in 2007 was also blamed on the downturn in the economy. Things have since rebounded. The couple bought another condo in another Baja development, and the trump backed project remains dead.