Donald Trump's claim to own the Empire State Building may be the tallest tale in town, according to papers filed in New York State Supreme Court that only recently came to light.
A suit was filed Nov. 2 by Nihon Sangyo Co. of Japan, charging the Empire State deal between the New York real estate tycoon and a member of the family controlling Nihon Sangyo was a fraud. The company seeks $250,000 in damages.Trump's office Thursday had no comment on the suit.
The possibility that Trump's ownership claim is just hot air surfaced in the weekly New York Observer Wednesday, somewhat tarnishing Trump's claim that he bought the city's second tallest building in partnership with "wealthy Asian and European investors" who had given him a 50 percent interest in the prize property.
He also has cast himself as the "good guy" who wants to improve the 63-year-old skyscraper's deteriorating physical condition but is being blocked by so-called "Queen of Mean" Leona Helmsley, whose family real-estate firm manages the 102-story building.
Trump, who revels in his long-playing feud with Helmsley, has threatened to file suit challenging the Helmsley management lease.
However, if the suit brought by Nihon Sangyo on behalf of its founder, 81-year-old Hideki Yokoi, is successful, Trump might be out of the Empire State picture altogether. Yokoi ostensibly put up the $42 million that made purchase of the Empire State Building possible.