In May, Braverman Greenspun principal and managing partner Rob Braverman, of counsel William Geller and associate Joseph Goljan filed a lawsuit on behalf of a unit owner in the Trump World Tower Condominium over an amenity space project that was improperly approved by the board. The board did not provide any information to unit owners or secure their approval of the roughly $2 million expense. The lease was signed by two board members, Eric Trump and Sonja Talesnik, who are closely affiliated with the owner of the unit. Additionally, the condominium’s bylaws expressly limit the board’s spending power to $200,000 per year for capital improvements to the condominium’s Common Elements.
After a recent “on-the-record hearing,” Rob, William and Joseph secured a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the Trump World Tower Condominium board from collecting fees from residents for the amenity space project. The TRO also prohibits the board from entering into any additional or new contracts under the terms of the board’s lease for the former World Bar Space with Trump, 845 UN Limited Partnership (the condominium’s sponsor). A further decision will be made at the next hearing, scheduled for August 18.
Rob discussed the underlying issue with AM New York, noting, “We have a lease signed by both the landlord and the tenant by two Board members who also happen to be closely affiliated with the owner of the unit. Something doesn’t seem right.”
In explaining how the TRO was secured, Rob told The Real Deal: “Upon the court’s initial review of the transaction, it was concerned enough to put a stop to these improperly imposed assessments.”
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