The Donald wants his name off Atlantic City casinos

Celebrity US businessman and entrepreneur, Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in the state Superior Court for Atlantic County seeking to have his name removed from the branding and titles on two Atlantic City land casinos, Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal, both the property of Trump Entertainment Resorts.

The Associated Press news agency reports that Trump exited the casino business five years ago, and no longer wishes to have his name associated with the properties named in the lawsuit.

“I want it off both of them,” Trump told AP in an interview Tuesday evening. “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.”

Court documents filed by Trump’s legal representatives allege: “Since Mr. Trump left Atlantic City many years ago, the license entities have allowed the casino properties to fall into an utter state of disrepair and have otherwise failed to operate and manage the casino properties in accordance with the high standards of quality and luxury required under the license agreement.

“The Trump name … has become synonymous with the highest levels of quality, luxury, prestige and success.”

Trump Entertainment Resorts CEO Robert Griffin declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Our readers will recall that Trump Plaza employees have been advised that the casino could close on September 16, and Trump references this indication of failure in his lawsuit, claiming that he was not advised of the company’s intentions.

“Not only does the issuance of these WARN notices further harm the Trump name and brand, but it 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 claims, adding that the casinos now fail to meet industry standards regarding hotel services, food and beverage operations and overall cleanliness, which he alleges guests had been complaining about for years.

The Donald does not run or control Trump Entertainment Resorts, which was formed after his casino empire emerged from the second of its three bankruptcies. But he retains a 10 percent stake, which enables the company to use his name for licensing purposes.

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