Trump Fights Charges of Sleaze

Filed in archive Golf Courses on February 10, 2008

The latest chapter in Donald Trump's enormous Scottish golf resort project has been written and the conclusion doesn't seem in sight.

Trump and his minions appeared before an all-party committee of the Scottish government to answer questions relating to a growing influence scandal.



At issue is whether or not the Trump organization engaged in some sleaze with the Scottish government to "grease the wheels" a little and get the project green-lighted.

What I find interesting are the latest remarks made by George Sorial, Trump's managing director for international development.

When the whole story began and the project was rejected by a planning committee at the local council level, Trump threatened to take the project elsewhere, specifically Northern Ireland, quickly. It was a pressure tactic, pure and simple.

Now Sorial has told the parliamentary committee that Trump will take the project elsewhere unless the Scottish government grants its approval in the next twelve months!

So Trump is willing to wait a full year and do battle with his opponents at the national level to try and win his fight.

Makes me think that there might not be anyone else in contention at all.

The Scottish Herald story also has a short video interview with George Sorial.