Trump Stake in Luxury Hotel Violates Lease With US Gov't – Democratic Lawmakers

US President-elect Donald Trump and his family must divest their stake in a Washington, DC hotel inside a US government-owned building before Trump’s January 20 inauguration or risk violating the hotel’s lease, several Democratic Party lawmakers stated Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – A press release from members of the House of Representatives, led by the ranking Democrat on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Elijah Cummings, cited a senior official in the General Services Administration (GSA) to support their claim. The GSA manages federal property.

"The deputy commissioner informed our staff that GSA assesses that Mr. Trump will be in breach of the lease agreement the moment he takes office on January 20, 2017, unless he fully divests himself of all financial interests in the lease for the Washington D.C. hotel," the release stated.

Although the release didn’t name the official, it apparently referred to Paul Chistolini, who was appointed deputy commissioner of GSA's Public Buildings Service in November.

"The Deputy Commissioner made clear that Mr. Trump must divest himself not only of managerial control, but of all ownership interest as well," the release continued.

The Trump International Hotel, just five blocks from the White House and housed in a former post office building that is now a historic landmark, is a high-profile example of business conflicts of interest Trump will face as president.

Critics charge that the hotel, which opened in September, will be a magnet for domestic and foreign visitors to Washington, including heads of state, who have business with the Trump administration.