NEWS
7 August 2014
Trump sues to remove name from failing casinos
By Brad Allen
ld Trump is suing to remove his name from two struggling Atlantic City casinos.

The business mogul claims that his reputation is being tarnished by falling revenues and standards at Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal.

"I want it off both of them," Trump told Associated Press. "I've been away from Atlantic City for many years. People think we operate [the company], and we don't. It's not us. It's not me."

The star of the US Apprentice licensed his name to the two properties in 2010, but now says the casinos have breached the agreement by falling into an "utter state of disrepair" and failing quality tests from an independent firm.

The Trump Plaza is due to shut next month after sluggish financial performance.

Trump claims he was not warned about the closure, and that it has caused irreparable harm to the cachet of his brand.

"[The closure] also underscores the company's inability to remedy the appalling conditions that gave rise to the defaults under the licensing agreement in the first place," the lawsuit says.

When the closure was announced last month, Trump was quick to point out that the move was harmful to his reputation rather than his bank balance.

"I let them use my name, but I have nothing to do with it. I got out seven years ago – my timing was impeccable."