Politics - News Analysis
Eric Trump Busted: Caught in ‘Secret’ Deal to Charge Condo Owners $1.75 Million
Well my, my, my. The Trump family chicanery has come full circle. Apparently, Eric Trump and the board of a Trump Organization condo building now stand accused of hatching a secret deal to charge unit owners a whopping $1.75 million to renovate a vacant bar and turn it into an “amenity space,” (probably contractor lingo for “we’re gonna make a fortune!”) a new lawsuit alleges.
The Messenger reports that the owner of one such condo, Johanna Beiter claimed in the Manhattan Supreme Court suit that the Trump World Tower board told residents last February that the 2,500-square-foot commercial space inside the building was going to be converted into an amenity space—and the condo owners (lucky them) would have to pay for it.
Imagine minding your own business and the owners of the building where you yourself own a condominium come along and say “we’re planning some big changes and you’re gonna pay for them.”
Cute. Really, really cute. Sounds like something a Trump family member might be in charge of.
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The lawsuit alleges both Eric Trump and Trump Organization Assistant General Counsel Sonja Talesnik approved the conversion work. Not only that but both allegedly have financial interests in the project.
And according to The Messenger, companies that the younger Trump and Talesnik have a financial interest in, “have a direct or indirect ownership or equity interest in or are affiliated with the one or more of the contractors or subcontractors hired or to be hired to perform the Conversion Work,” per the lawsuit.
The aforementioned space was occupied by the World Bar, which shut down more than four years ago, according to the suit. Trump World Tower is adjacent to the United Nations headquarters in Midtown Manhattan’s East Side.
Condo owners who are renting out their apartments are expected to fork over an “amenity fee” of about two percent of their annual rental fees in order to cover the lease of the amenity space. This is expected to generate about $300,000 per year, according to the lawsuit.
The Messenger states a “special assessment” will also be collected from the condo owners to pay for the construction work in the building. That’s expected to net $1.75 million, per the suit.
Beiter asserts the changes were approved in “secret” by the board, which acted outside its purview by imposing the fees and by converting the commercial space into residential amenity space. She is seeking a judgment against the board’s members, attorney fees, costs, and expenses which will be determined at trial.
Like I say, sure does look like the Trump family has come full circle.
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