Judge: Trump Firm Can Keep Running Bronx Golf Course After de Blasio Broke Contract

By: Claudia Irizarry Aponte & Katie Honan – TheCity.nyc

The Trump Organization can continue to operate a city-owned Bronx golf course, a judge ruled Friday.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio terminated a Trump company’s contract for the Ferry Point Park golf course last year citing the former president’s role in stirring up the riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The city attempted to argue that the Trump name, and by association the golf course, was tarnished as a result of the Jan. 6, 2021 attempted insurrection and would not be able to profit or to operate tournaments — which city lawyers claimed was a requirement under the Trump Organization’s 20-year contract with the city Parks Department.

The Trump Organization meanwhile maintained it had a right to stay — or it was entitled to a $30 million contract termination fee if removed.

In her decision, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Debra James agreed that the contract is unambiguous in that the Trump Organization shall operate world-class tournaments — but not that it requires the “petitioner act so as to attract professional golf tournaments.”

She vacated the city’s termination of the contract and sent the matter back to the city Parks Department.

The Trump Organization cheered the decision on Friday.

“We would like to thank the court for its well-reasoned decision based on law and facts,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement, calling the de Blasio administration’s decision last year “nothing more than a political vendetta.”

“Former Mayor Bill de Blasio used his position to weaponize the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Law Department all in an effort to advance his own partisan agenda, score political points and interfere with free enterprise,” the Trump rep said.

The city Law Department said the Adams administration is reviewing further legal options. “Anyone holding a city concession is held to a high standard. We are disappointed in the Court’s decision,” said an agency spokesperson.

De Blasio, now a private citizen, did not respond to a message seeking comment but posted a response on Twitter Friday night calling the former president “an ignominious figure in U.S. history.”

“NYC did the right thing by canceling his contract and the city will win this case in the end,” he tweeted.

“We would like to thank the court for its well-reasoned decision based on law and facts,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement, calling the de Blasio administration’s decision last year “nothing more than a political vendetta.”

“Former Mayor Bill de Blasio used his position to weaponize the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Law Department all in an effort to advance his own partisan agenda, score political points and interfere with free enterprise,” the Trump rep said.

The city Law Department said the Adams administration is reviewing further legal options. “Anyone holding a city concession is held to a high standard. We are disappointed in the Court’s decision,” said an agency spokesperson.

De Blasio, now a private citizen, did not respond to a message seeking comment but posted a response on Twitter Friday night calling the former president “an ignominious figure in U.S. history.”

“NYC did the right thing by canceling his contract and the city will win this case in the end,” he tweeted.

Spokespersons for Mayor Eric Adams and the city Parks Department deferred to the Law Department.

Bobby Jones Links, the firm that was poised to take over the course concession, did not return requests for comment.

(TheCity.nyc)