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Chef José Andrés is countersuing Donald Trump over the pair's dispute regarding the chef's planned restaurant in the Old Post Office hotel in D.C.
In the suit, Andrés alleges Trump is the person in violation of breach of contract over the deal, which fell apart this summer. Andrés pulled out of his decision to open a restaurant in the building following Trump's controversial comments regarding Mexican immigrants. The mogul sued the chef for $10 million.
According to the latest legal action, as first reported by Reliable Source, Andrés' team says Trump's statements made it impossible for the restaurant to hire and maintain staff for the project. They're seeking $8 million.
UPDATE: "Mr. Andres' counterclaims are legally meritless and clearly intended to divert focus away from his baseless decision to walk away from his obligations under the lease," Trump's spokesman said via email. "We are confident that the court will view it the same way and dismiss Mr. Andres' claims accordingly." A ThinkFoodGroup spokeswoman declined to comment on the suit.
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is also in a legal battle with Trump over the issue. His team countersued a week ago.
Since the drama, Trump's team has snagged BLT Prime to open a restaurant at the D.C. project.
