x

Politics

“Α Really Exciting Day”: Panama City Hotel Owner Fintiklis Ousts Trump Managers

September 27, 2018

PANAMA CITY (AP) — A luxury hotel and condominium tower in Panama City that used to bear the Trump name was formally rebranded Tuesday as the JW Marriott after a bitter dispute over control that ended with the U.S. president’s family company evicted.

The 70-story, seaside, sail-shaped building is now operated under the brand of U.S. hotelier Marriott International, which took over management.

Owners and administrators unveiled the new name on a granite wall at the entrance where the Trump name was removed in March when, after a hotly contested legal fight, majority investor Orestes Fintiklis was able to oust Trump managers.

“Today is a really exciting day,” said Fintiklis, a Cypriot based in Miami, making no mention of the dispute Tuesday. “We are thrilled that the administration of this iconic hotel will be taken on by JW Marriott.”

The struggle over the hotel began late last year when Fintiklis, who had acquired a majority of condominiums and was supported by residents, sought to fire Trump’s company, citing damage to the brand and mismanagement. The Trump Organization fought the termination and refused to hand over the property.

The company also appealed to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela to intervene, even invoking a treaty between the two countries, raising ethical concerns over possible mingling of Trump’s business and government interests.

The appeal was apparently unsuccessful: An arbitrator declined to reinstate the Trump management team.

The high-rise with 369 hotel rooms plus restaurants and casinos was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Trump in July 2011, four years before he launched his White House bid.

After the Trump name was taken down in March, the building was temporarily renamed the Bahia Grand Panama prior to Marriott’s involvement.

RELATED

GIROKASTER (ANA/P.Barkas) - Tirana's special court against corruption decided on Monday to postpone for December 11 the appeal of the elected mayor of Himare Fredi Beleri to be released and swear in mayor of Himare.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.

Video

Lebanon’s Christians Feel the Heat of Climate Change in Its Sacred Forest and Valley (Vid)

BCHARRE, Lebanon (AP) — Majestic cedar trees towered over dozens of Lebanese Christians gathered outside a small mid-19th century chapel hidden in a mountain forest to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, the miracle where Jesus Christ, on a mountaintop, shined with light before his disciples.

ATHENS – On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Maria Callas, widely considered the greatest diva in the history of opera, the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy-U.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two months after his historic ouster as House speaker, Republican Rep.

LONDON (AP) — The British government apologized Wednesday to the families of 97 Liverpool soccer fans who died after a stadium crush 34 years ago, as it introduced a charter it said will sharply diminish the chances that others will endure the kinds of injustices they suffered.

CAIRO (AP) — A cargo ship broke down in Egypt's Suez Canal on Wednesday and crashed into a bridge over the crucial waterway, authorities said, adding that the incident did not disrupt traffic through the canal.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.