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He Says Trumps Cost Him $2 Million, but Hotelier Now Cheers Federal Assist He Says Trumps Cost Him $2 Million, but Hotelier Now Cheers Federal Assist
(about 1 hour later)
When President Trump was campaigning in 2016, his company announced a new line of bespoke hotels that would be built with partners across the country. But two years into his presidency, the Trump Organization shelved the brand and dropped the only partner, a Mississippi family business that one member says lost about $2 million in the collaboration.When President Trump was campaigning in 2016, his company announced a new line of bespoke hotels that would be built with partners across the country. But two years into his presidency, the Trump Organization shelved the brand and dropped the only partner, a Mississippi family business that one member says lost about $2 million in the collaboration.
Now the former partner is preparing to open the hotel in Cleveland, Miss. — without the Trump brand, but with a Trump assist.Now the former partner is preparing to open the hotel in Cleveland, Miss. — without the Trump brand, but with a Trump assist.
Donning orange gloves and a white mask, the hotelier, Dinesh Chawla, visited a local bank last month to sign a stack of papers locking in about $250,000 in loans through the Trump administration’s paycheck protection program. The loans, intended for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, are backed by the Small Business Administration and can be forgiven if Mr. Chawla puts most of it toward paying employees.Donning orange gloves and a white mask, the hotelier, Dinesh Chawla, visited a local bank last month to sign a stack of papers locking in about $250,000 in loans through the Trump administration’s paycheck protection program. The loans, intended for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, are backed by the Small Business Administration and can be forgiven if Mr. Chawla puts most of it toward paying employees.
In a telephone interview, Mr. Chawla said nearly $50,000 of the money would go toward the property that was once intended to be the Trumps’ first hotel under a new Scion brand. There is no indication that he called in a favor to qualify for the program, which has frustrated numerous other businesses that could not obtain the financing, even though they appeared to qualify.In a telephone interview, Mr. Chawla said nearly $50,000 of the money would go toward the property that was once intended to be the Trumps’ first hotel under a new Scion brand. There is no indication that he called in a favor to qualify for the program, which has frustrated numerous other businesses that could not obtain the financing, even though they appeared to qualify.
“From the standpoint of somebody throwing you a ring buoy in the middle of the ocean, I thought it was a well-designed and -pointed program,” said Mr. Chawla, who owns several other hotels in the Mississippi Delta. The money has helped him keep employees on the payroll, he said, “and that helped me sleep at night.”“From the standpoint of somebody throwing you a ring buoy in the middle of the ocean, I thought it was a well-designed and -pointed program,” said Mr. Chawla, who owns several other hotels in the Mississippi Delta. The money has helped him keep employees on the payroll, he said, “and that helped me sleep at night.”
For Mr. Chawla, who also obtained about $25,000 from an S.B.A. disaster relief fund, the experience brought his family’s unlikely decades long relationship with the Trumps full circle.For Mr. Chawla, who also obtained about $25,000 from an S.B.A. disaster relief fund, the experience brought his family’s unlikely decades long relationship with the Trumps full circle.
It was Mr. Trump the businessman who returned an out-of-the-blue phone call in the 1980s from Mr. Chawla’s father, an Indian refugee. Mr. Trump suggested V.K. Chawla seek a loan from the S.B.A., advice the elder Mr. Chawla credited with jump-starting the family’s hotel business.It was Mr. Trump the businessman who returned an out-of-the-blue phone call in the 1980s from Mr. Chawla’s father, an Indian refugee. Mr. Trump suggested V.K. Chawla seek a loan from the S.B.A., advice the elder Mr. Chawla credited with jump-starting the family’s hotel business.
Later, it was Mr. Trump the presidential candidate who met Dinesh Chawla’s brother, setting in motion the partnership with the Trump Organization for the Mississippi hotel. And it was Mr. Trump the president whose administration came to Mr. Chawla’s aid during the pandemic.Later, it was Mr. Trump the presidential candidate who met Dinesh Chawla’s brother, setting in motion the partnership with the Trump Organization for the Mississippi hotel. And it was Mr. Trump the president whose administration came to Mr. Chawla’s aid during the pandemic.
“There’s some irony in that,” he said.“There’s some irony in that,” he said.
Mr. Chawla explained that the government money was not keeping his business afloat. But it was necessary to avoid layoffs at his existing hotels in the area — a Hampton Inn, a Quality Inn, and a Holiday Inn Express — as well as the former Scion property. He said he also has a partial stake in other hotels that received about $100,000 in S.B.A. funding, and he recently received word from the agency that he might qualify for additional loans up to $250,000.Mr. Chawla explained that the government money was not keeping his business afloat. But it was necessary to avoid layoffs at his existing hotels in the area — a Hampton Inn, a Quality Inn, and a Holiday Inn Express — as well as the former Scion property. He said he also has a partial stake in other hotels that received about $100,000 in S.B.A. funding, and he recently received word from the agency that he might qualify for additional loans up to $250,000.
To date, Mr. Chawla is the rare Trump family business associate, past or present, to acknowledge tapping federal funding for the pandemic. A dozen other businesses contacted by The New York Times, including restaurants in Trump hotels and tenants in the president’s various properties, denied participating in the S.B.A. program, declined to discuss the subject or did not respond. Suresh Chawla, formerly a partner with his brother in the Mississippi hotel, did not respond.To date, Mr. Chawla is the rare Trump family business associate, past or present, to acknowledge tapping federal funding for the pandemic. A dozen other businesses contacted by The New York Times, including restaurants in Trump hotels and tenants in the president’s various properties, denied participating in the S.B.A. program, declined to discuss the subject or did not respond. Suresh Chawla, formerly a partner with his brother in the Mississippi hotel, did not respond.
A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization also did not respond to a request for comment.A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization also did not respond to a request for comment.
The S.B.A. has failed to make public the list of recipients. Some public companies have disclosed the loans in regulatory filings, fueling criticism of the program, which has been dogged by technical glitches and concerns that large businesses jumped the line. Some of them later returned the money after the Trump administration both provided new guidance and threatened repercussions.The S.B.A. has failed to make public the list of recipients. Some public companies have disclosed the loans in regulatory filings, fueling criticism of the program, which has been dogged by technical glitches and concerns that large businesses jumped the line. Some of them later returned the money after the Trump administration both provided new guidance and threatened repercussions.
As a local hotelier, Mr. Chawla is the sort of small business owner intended for the program. In a Facebook post, he praised the government officials that had made it happen.As a local hotelier, Mr. Chawla is the sort of small business owner intended for the program. In a Facebook post, he praised the government officials that had made it happen.
“I’m delighted to report that not a single employee will be laid off, and when the new hotel gets the greenlight to open, the company will be adding even more employees to the rolls,” he wrote.“I’m delighted to report that not a single employee will be laid off, and when the new hotel gets the greenlight to open, the company will be adding even more employees to the rolls,” he wrote.
Mr. Chawla briefly worried he would not qualify for the S.B.A. program, which is not available to anyone on probation or parole. In August, he was arrested in Memphis on felony charges that he stole luggage from an airport baggage claim area. Prosecutors eventually dropped the case, and Mr. Chawla acknowledged in an interview that he had used bad judgment and sought counseling.Mr. Chawla briefly worried he would not qualify for the S.B.A. program, which is not available to anyone on probation or parole. In August, he was arrested in Memphis on felony charges that he stole luggage from an airport baggage claim area. Prosecutors eventually dropped the case, and Mr. Chawla acknowledged in an interview that he had used bad judgment and sought counseling.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Since the case concluded in November, Mr. Chawla has been focused on completing the new development. The $27 million property will include a hotel — known as the Lyric instead of Scion — as well as restaurants and a music venue.Since the case concluded in November, Mr. Chawla has been focused on completing the new development. The $27 million property will include a hotel — known as the Lyric instead of Scion — as well as restaurants and a music venue.
The development was initially expected to open in fall 2018, but the Trumps extended the timeline as they sought to redesign the meeting spaces and spruce up the clubhouse. Then early last year, Mr. Trump’s eldest sons, who oversee the family business, called off the deal, citing increasing scrutiny of their business from congressional Democrats and the media.The development was initially expected to open in fall 2018, but the Trumps extended the timeline as they sought to redesign the meeting spaces and spruce up the clubhouse. Then early last year, Mr. Trump’s eldest sons, who oversee the family business, called off the deal, citing increasing scrutiny of their business from congressional Democrats and the media.
“I lost about $2 million in investment, lost business, interest, redesign and increased construction costs because of the delays of the Trump period,” Mr. Chawla said. But he did not “feel that it was a total loss,” he added, as the Trumps offered helpful expertise.“I lost about $2 million in investment, lost business, interest, redesign and increased construction costs because of the delays of the Trump period,” Mr. Chawla said. But he did not “feel that it was a total loss,” he added, as the Trumps offered helpful expertise.
“The Trump experience — with all of its ups and downs — was a life-changing one, and they were universally encouraging and instructive to me,” he said.“The Trump experience — with all of its ups and downs — was a life-changing one, and they were universally encouraging and instructive to me,” he said.
Before the pandemic, Mr. Chawla had hoped to open this spring. A partial opening is now planned for late June.Before the pandemic, Mr. Chawla had hoped to open this spring. A partial opening is now planned for late June.