Rendering of the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Ft. Lauderdale and Donald Trump
A Boston restaurant owner who is suing Donald Trump over the failed Trump International Hotel & Tower project testified in the Broward Circuit Court case.
Giacomo’s Ristorante owner John Taglieri told jurors during Tuesday’s hearing that he made a 20 percent deposit on a $730,000 unit at the Fort Lauderdale project in 2005 with the understanding that Trump would be the developer and brand the condo-hotel under his name, Daily Business Review reported. Taglieri filed a lawsuit three years later after finding out Trump was pulling out of the development.
The Taglieri case is expected to last until March 14. A separate trial involving 81 plaintiffs going after Trump for nearly $8 million in deposits and interest should begin this summer.
The 551 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard property is now owned by a partnership tied to Conrad Hilton.
Trump is in Doral today for the opening round of Cadillac Championship at his Trump National Doral resort. [Daily Business Review] — Eric Kalis