U.S.

D.C. Wine Bar Owners Suing Trump Hotel For 'Stealing Business'

The owners say the lawsuit is strictly about business and has no political implications.

Press conference regarding Cork Wine Bar lawsuit
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The owners of Cork Wine Bar in Washington, D.C., have had it with Trump International Hotel and are suing the president. 

Khalid Pitts and Diane Gross filed a lawsuit on March 9 claiming President Trump's hotel is "operating with an unfair and illegal advantage." 

The lawsuit states that although Trump International Hotel existed prior to Trump's presidency, patrons and lobbyists have clearly favored the hotel since the inauguration. 

Donald Trump's Conflicts Of Interest Are Unprecedented
Donald Trump's Conflicts Of Interest Are Unprecedented

Donald Trump's Conflicts Of Interest Are Unprecedented

The new president and his family are positioned to profit from policy they help create.

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"We have events we do here for elected officials, nonprofits, foreign dignitaries, the World Bank, law firms," Gross said. "Those folks are now being courted to come and want to go there because they see it as advantageous to them to curry favor with the president."

The couple says that although they've suffered monetary losses from the unfair competition, they are not suing for monetary compensation. Instead, they wish for the hotel and its restaurants to close during Trump's tenure as president.