Join The Hunt





We work with information in the public domain. In addition to the Donald Trump projects and events on our timeline, there are many others that we suspect are mob-connected - if not outright owned or controlled by Semion himself. These include many global properties.

However, the following items did not land on our timeline due to the opaqueness of Donald’s financials and hidden LLCs, and because we could not find a solid source specifically connecting them to a known mob associate (either through investigative journalism, US or allies intelligence reports, &/or lawsuits).



We will keep digging. We invite you to join in. Anything you find, you can tweet to us at @CitJourno.



1974



Donald Trump gets Penn Central Railyards purchase option



His purchase option gives him the opportunity to buy the rail yards for $29M. His option lasts for 6 years.
Backed by Fred Trump
Donald’s “first foray” into business
Zoning fights go on through the mid-70s
Grand Jury investigation into how he got the option opened, closed 1979


Reference:

http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Trump/Wayne-Barrett/9781682450796



1976



Commodore Hotel / Grand Hyatt purchased from Penn Central



Partners: Fred Trump, Hyatt Hotel
Trump and Ivana design the renovation.


References

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1988/01/ivana-trump-business-empire



1979



Criminal Investigation opened into how Trump got the Penn Central Railyards purchase option



A grand jury is convened to investigate how Donald obtained the option to purchase the rail yards. Trump dispatched Roy Cohn to talk to the US Attny about the investigation. Grand jury investigation goes away quietly. Trump gives up on the rail yards.


References

Trump: The Greatest Show on Earth: The Deals, the Downfall, the Reinvention By Wayne Barrett



1979



Alvin Malnik is denied a casino license by the NJ Gambling



Citing his ties to the mafia, the NJ Casino Commission denies Al Malnik a license.


Reference

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3516999-p0295.html#document/p20/a343829



1981



Plans Change For Barbizon



Trump drops plans to demolish the building to build a hotel and instead converts the building and the building next door into condominiums.



1981



Trump pays $13 Million to buy the Barbizon Plaza Hotel on Central Park South



It is a rent controlled and rent-stabilized building. He hires Citadel Management for “tenant resettlement”.
Trump does his best to evict all tenants. He fails.

Reference

http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/28/news/trump-apartment-tenants/ http://metcouncilonhousing.org/news_and_issues/tenant_newspaper/2016/april/how_rent_stabilized_tenants_foiled_donald_trump



1981



Donald Trump begins buying land for a casino in Atlantic City, NJ



He pays almost a 100% markup on a property purchased from a known mobster, Sal Testa. The straw purchaser is the secretary of Patrick T. McGahn, Jr, the uncle of Trump’s White House Counsel, Don McGahn. Teamsters, Genovese crime family do the concrete work.

Reference

https://www.fastcompany.com/3057495/state-investigative-report-on-trump-shows-complexity-of-alleged-mob-ties



1982



Trump purchases the New Jersey Generals USFL team.



According to David Cay Johnston's account of this saga, Trump's hubris is what took the league down. It folded in 1986.

Reference

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/sports/football/donald-trumps-less-than-artful-failure-in-pro-football.html?_r=0



1984



Harrah's at Trump Plaza Opens



Partner: Harrah’s Entertainment (owned by Holiday Inns). Cost: Harrah’s provides $220M in financing to build, pays Trump $24M construction management fee, and agrees to give Trump 50% of profits. Trump does not put any money in.

Reference

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/a_timeline_of_donald_trumps_30_years_in_nj.html



1984



Trump buys Hilton’s unfinished casino after Hilton denied gambling license.



He names it Trump’s Castle.
CEO = Ivana. She “signs all checks

Reference

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1988/01/ivana-trump-business-empire



1985



Trump buys the New York Foundling Hospital on the Upper East Side



Trump will raze to build the Trump Palace. Construction begins 1989, and it is completed in 1991.
Residents lobby to ban the tower. The New York Times criticizes its design.




1985



Donald Trump purchased the Penn Central Railyards for $115M



Trump buys the Penn Central railyards for $115M.
He lies to the press, saying he paid $95M. Could have bought for $28M had he not walked away from the option in 1979.



1985



Announces plans to build the world’s tallest building on the site.



The community protests.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/19/nyregion/trump-announces-plan-to-construct-world-s-tallest-building.html



1985



Trump buys out Holiday Inn's share of Harrah's at Trump Plaza, renames it Trump Plaza



Reference

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/a_timeline_of_donald_trumps_30_years_in_nj.html



1986



Trump promotes Wrestlemania IV and Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks



Both at Convention Hall, next door to Trump Plaza.

Reference

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/a_timeline_of_donald_trumps_30_years_in_nj.html



1986



Trump drops the eviction suit against the tenants of the Barbizon Plaza Hotel.



Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/05/nyregion/trump-drops-5-year-effort-to-evict-tenants.html



2001



Trump invited by Soviet Ambassador to Russia to discuss building hotels



He and Ivana visit Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

Reference

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/02/15/donald-trumps-ties-russia-go-back-30-years/97949746/



1987



Trump proposes “Television City” plans for the former Penn Central Railyards on the West Side of Manhatan.



The city refuses.
Trump tries to bully Mayor Ed Koch. It doesn’t work.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/30/nyregion/celebrities-open-wallets-to-fight-trump-s-project.html



1987



Trump announces plans to build Trump Centre, a shopping mall/hotel in Paramus, NJ.



Plans withdrawn in 1991

Reference

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/a_timeline_of_donald_trumps_30_years_in_nj.html



1988



Trump Air established



Trump buys Eastern Air Shuttle from Frank Lorenzo’s Texas Air Corporation.

Reference

https://airwaysmag.com/airchive/donald-ran-shuttle/



1989



Trump buys the Atlantis Casino Hotel in Atlantic City for $63M out of bankruptcy.



He renames it the Trump Regency and does not plan to reopen the casino.



1989



Trump Shuttle begins flying.



It goes to the creditors in 1992, when Trump defaults on his debt.

Reference

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/05/27/donald-trump-airline-went-from-opulence-air-crash-landing/zEf1Er2Hok2dPTVVmZT6NP/story.html



1991



Trump agrees to a revised proposal for the Penn Central Railyards, proposed by the community.



The development is plagued with delays.
It requires a move of the Westside Highway.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/06/nyregion/trump-revises-project-plan-for-west-side.html



1991



Trump defaults on his loans for Trump Shuttle



Ownership of the company is transferred to the bankers.

Reference

http://time.com/4343030/donald-trump-failures/



1992



Trump Castle and Trump Plaza file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy



Reference

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/03/09/Trumps-Castle-and-Plaza-file-for-bankruptcy/3105700117200/



1992



Trump gives the Trump Regency hotel back to the bank



Due to a financial restructuring, Trump gives the Trump Regency hotel back to the bank, but allows them to use the name Trump Regency.

Reference

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0EAEAB8B26472ED9?p=AWNB



1993



Trump goes to Gary, Indiana, to seek a casino license for a riverboat casino.



City officials do not recommend Trump, due to concerns about the previous years’ Trump casino bankruptcies.

Reference

http://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-spotty-casino-history-in-gary-indiana-2016-9



1993



Trump buys the Trump Regency back from Chemical Bank.



Reference

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0EAEAB8B26472ED9?p=AWNB



1993



Trump announces Six Flags Amusement Park in Atlantic City



Trump announces plans for a Six Flags park on the Atlantic City Steel Pier.
It is never built.



1994



Trump goes directly to the Indiana Gaming Commission in 1994 to apply for a casino license.



The state overruled city of Gary and grants Trump one of two licenses.
Trump overpromised and underdelivered. He did not make good on agreements to hire minority residents, and reneged on an agreement with the business partners with whom he applied for the license.

Reference

http://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-spotty-casino-history-in-gary-indiana-2016-9



1994



Trump makes a deal to turn the Gulf and Western Building into the Trump International Hotel & Tower.



The renovation is viewed as gaudy and over the top by most Manhattanites.
Renovations are completed in 1997.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/nyregion/former-gulf-and-western-building-to-be-a-luxury-apartment-tower.html



1994



Due to financial pressures, Trump is forced to give up control of the PCRY project.



He gives control to a group of Hong Kong based investors; they keep his name on the project and pay him construction and management fees. He keeps a minority stake.

Reference

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-01-27/donald-trump-s-track-record-on-deals



1994



IPO of 60% of holding company Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts



…which owned Trump Plaza led by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ). Raises $140M, most of which goes to pay off debts personally guaranteed by Trump. From 1995-2009, Trump is chairman of the company. The company loses over $1bn during this time.

Reference

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-its-stock-collapsed-trumps-firm-gave-him-huge-bonuses-and-paid-for-his-jet/2016/06/12/58458918-2766-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html?utm_term=.98333182e998



1994



Trump Ice (waterbottle company) founded



1996



Trump reopens the casino at the Trump Regency, Atlantic City



He renames the property “Trump’s World Fair” at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. It closes 1999.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/10/nyregion/trump-planning-to-demolish-world-s-fair-casino-in-atlantic-city.html



1996



Trump buys the right to lease 40 Wall Street through 2059.



“Since Donald Trump took over 40 Wall St. in 1995, prosecutors have filed criminal charges against at least 29 people connected to 12 alleged scams tied to the building. Nine other firms have faced serious regulatory claims. Authorities prevailed in most but not all of the cases.”

Reference

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2016-trump-40-wall-street/



1996



Casino Boat next to Trump Castle in Atlantic City announced



It never does.

Reference

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/a_timeline_of_donald_trumps_30_years_in_nj.html



1998



US Treasury investigates Trump Taj Mahal for cash reporting violations.



Trump Taj Mahal pays the US Treasury $477,000 and does not admit liability. It was the largest fine the government had given a casino for violating the Bank Secrecy Act (superseded by a $10M fine paid by the Taj Mahal in 2015)



1998



Russian market crash.



Russia defaults. The ruble plummets.

Reference

http://money.cnn.com/1998/08/13/markets/russia/



1998



Ivana Trump does business with and promotes Tel-Com Wireless TV



Tel-Com Wireless TV is connected to the Russian mafia, and a murder case. Tel-Com is investigated by the SEC in 1999.

Reference

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/17/business/worldbusiness/telcom-sharesfrom-chic-to-shock.html



1999



Trump Model Management founded



Immigration violations, and poor treatment of employees.
It has been accused of being a front for sex trafficking for the global rape trade. Trump used the models to “seal deals.” Trump “met” Melania through the agency.

Reference

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/donald-trump-model-management-illegal-immigration/



2000



Trump Model Management founded



Planned completion was 2006-07.



2000



TD Trump Deutschland AG was founded (Trump Tower in Stuttgart, Germany).



Multiple lawsuits ensued including in June 2005 the German state attorney prosecuted TD Trump Deutschland AG for alleged accounting fraud. The company was dissolved in 2005.



2001



Trump World I (Seoul) construction completed



2001



Construction begins for Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida



(Dezer Development)



2001



Trump purchases the Hotel Delmonico on the Upper East Side



2001



Trump World Tower construction completed



2002



Trump World II (Seoul) construction completed.



2002



Trump International Hotel Las Vegas announced



(construction begin 2005, complete 2008)



2002



Trump buys Bedminster estate



Former Bedminster estate of the late John De Lorean bought for $35 million.



2002



Dezers & Trump plan to build Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences



2002



Trump International Hotel Las Vegas announced (construction begin 2005, complete 2008)



- New York Times Article



2003



Trump Ordered to Sell His Share of G.M. Building



2003



Construction begins on Trump Tower at City Center



2003



Bankruptcy! Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts filed Chapter 11. Renamed Trump Entertainment Resorts



2004



Trump National Bedminster, a private golf course, opens on the De Lorean site.



2004



Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts files for Chapter 11.



2004



Trump starts work on The Apprentice



2004



Daewoo Trump World III



2005



Trump Towers by the Sea (Trump Tower I, II and III) construction begins in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.



2005



Construction begins Trump International Hotel & Tower Fort Lauderdale



(ends 2008)



2005



Trump Tower Tampa announced.



2005



Trump University Opens



2005



Trump International Hotel & Tower New Orleans announced.



(Same day as Hurricane Katrina hits Miami). Cancelled in 2009.



2005



Trump World Marine (A, B, C) construction begins. (Busan, South Korea)



It’s completed in 2007.



2005



Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai first announced



2006



Investors are lined up for upcoming project, Trump Baja



It’s completed in 2007.



2006



Trump purchases a site in Ramat Gan, Israel



Bought for $44 million, where he plans to build the Trump Plaza Tower. (Land sold in 2007)



2006



Trump Towers Atlanta announced and confirmed.



The land was in foreclosure by 2010.



2007



Trump signs a deal to take over the troubled EnCap project at the Meadowlands



2007



1290 Avenue of the Americas in New York City.



Trump’s holdings include a 30 percent share.



2007



Construction begins for Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower (Panama)



2007



Trump announces plans for Charlotte, NC



Trump announces plans for upscale condos, a five-star hotel and offices at the corner of Trade and Stonewall streets in Charlotte, NC



2007



Trump Parc (Stamford, Connecticut) construction begins.



Completed in September 2009.



2007



Groundbreaking for Toronto's Trump International Hotel and Tower



2007



555 California Street in San Francisco purchased.



Trump’s holdings include a 30 percent share.



2008



Construction begins The Palm Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai



(ends 2011)



2008



Qatar’s state-owned carrier Qatar Airways becomes a tenant in Trump Tower in Manhattan



2008



Trump buys another course, Shadow Isle Golf Club in Colts Neck



2008



Trump Plaza Residences, a 55-story skyscraper in Jersey City, opens.



2009



Trump Entertainment Resorts files for Chapter 11



2009



Grand opening of Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago



2009



Trump Tower Waikiki Hotel Opens in Hawaii



2009



Trump buys another course, Pine Hill Golf Club



Trump later reopens it as Trump National Philadelphia.



2011



Trump Winery Opens in Albemarle County



2011



Trump Tower Manila project announced



2011



HRH Construction, Donald Trump's former contractor, files for chapter 7 liquidation



2011



Landry's Inc., an international restaurant and gaming operator, is buying Trump Marina Hotel Casino



Bought for $38 million and will rebrand it with the iconic Golden Nugget name.



2011



Trump Marina is sold and reopens as the Golden Nugget.



2012



Trump purchases The Village at Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte



2012



Trump Tower project in Batumi, Georgia announced



2012



Trump Tower Punta del Este, Uruguay announced.



Property sales begin in 2013.



2012



Trump International Golf Links opens in Scotland



2013



Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver revealed



2013



Trump International Golf Club, Dubai announced.



Opens February, 2017.



2013



Trump Towers, Istanbul (Turkey) completed



2013



Trump announces Trump Tower Pune (India)



2014



Trump Plaza closes



2014



Trump Home by Dorya announced



2014



Trump Tower Mumbai announced



2014



Trump Tower in Tokyo completed



2014



Trump Entertainment Resorts files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy



2014



Construction begins on high-rise Trump Bay Street



2014



Doonbeg golf club is purchased.



It will be rebranded Trump International Golf Links, Ireland



2015



Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx opens



2016



Trump’s Indonesia Projects, Still Moving Ahead, Create Potential Conflicts



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