Republican presidential
candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at Trump Tower in New
York, April 19, 2016. Trump's frequent campaign events in Trump Tower
are attracting scrutiny from New York City officials, who want to know
whether he is abiding by rules requiring the building's atrium to be
open to the public. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Donald Trump has used the Trump Tower in New York City as
the background of his speeches since the very beginning of his campaign
when he announced his candidacy.
Now, the New York City Department of Buildings is investigating the
real estate mogul’s use of the Trump Tower atrium for campaign
events—which may be in violation of a 1979 agreement to keep the atrium
open to the public during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The agreement allowed construction and major expansion to continue on the famous Fifth Avenue building.
City inspectors are examining whether people were barred from the
space Tuesday for a news conference, one of many campaign events Trump
has held in the atrium since last June’s announcement of his campaign
for presidency.
Department spokesman Joe Soldevere told CNN that the “Department of Building’s enforcement unit is investigating whether the atrium was improperly closed to the public.”
Soldevere said the probe was initiated after Trump gave a May 31
speech regarding the funds he raised for the veterans in his most contentious press conference to date.
Tourist
David Miller, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, was disappointed he wasn’t able to
make it in to hear Trump at the news conference, The Associated Press
reported.
“I had really hoped to get inside and take a look and I may not be able to now,” Miller said.
An executive and lawyer for the Trump Organization, Michael Cohen, insisted the atrium remained open.
“The property was never closed and I dispute any reports from anybody stating otherwise,” he said.
Trump
has marked several of the biggest moments of his campaign in Trump
Tower. He held celebratory news conferences in the skyscraper’s atrium
following his victories in the New York primary on April 19, multi-state
primaries on April 26, and the Indiana primary on May 3.
This
isn’t the first time city officials have confronted Trump over the use
of the public atrium. He was fined $4,000 in 2015 and $2,500 in 2006 for
installing kiosks selling merchandise in the space.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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