search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!
Plumbing News

Plumbing Contractor Files Lien, Claims Trump Organization Owes $3M for Work on DC Hotel

Joseph J. Magnolia Inc. seeks payment for plumbing and air conditioning work performed in 2016

By Jen Anesi-Brombach
Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C.

Two contractors, including plumbing and mechanical contracting firm Joseph J. Magnolia Inc., have filed liens for the work they performed during renovation of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, District of Columbia, in 2016.

Photo credit: Michael Vadon (photo of Donald Trump) and Mike Peel (photo of Trump International Hotel).

January 6, 2017

Two contractors, including plumbing and mechanical contracting firm Joseph J. Magnolia Inc., have filed liens for the work they performed during renovation of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, District of Columbia, last year. Both businesses claim they were never paid for work performed on the project in 2016.

According to the Washington Post, Magnolia Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling ― a family-owned business with offices in Washington and suburban Maryland ― claims it is owed $2.98 million for plumbing and air conditioning work performed on the hotel, which occupies the historic Washington Old Post Office. The $212 million renovation of the 263-room luxury hotel was completed last September. Magnolia "completed all plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC work, along with site sewer, water, storm, and water services" on the project, according to its filing with the D.C. government.

In an interview with the Washington Post, company president John Magnolia said they had been compensated for most of the work performed on the project, but had not yet been paid the final $2.98 million balance. “But, when the final money did not arrive and criticism grew over the president-elect’s continued ownership of the project as he prepares to enter office, Magnolia said he worried ownership would change before the Trumps paid fully,” the Post reported.

In an emailed statement to the press, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization wrote: “In developments of this scale and complexity the filing of nominal liens at the conclusion of construction is not uncommon as part of the closeout process. In the case of Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C., the Trump Organization has invested over $200 million dollars into the redevelopment of the historic Old Post Office and is incredibly proud of what is now considered to be one the most iconic hotels anywhere in the country.”

Under local law, building contractors and subcontractors can file mechanic's liens to protest unpaid work on real estate projects, the Chicago Tribune reported. These liens can make it difficult for the accused to apply for new or renegotiated loans, as the liens are a claim on the property's title. Contractors who file a lien have the option of filing suit 180 days after filing the lien if the matter has not been resolved.

PM contacted Patricia Tang, director of sales and marketing for Trump International Hotel Washington D.C., who said via email the hotel has no additional comment. Calls to John Magnolia were not immediately returned.

 

Follow Plumbing & Mechanical on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

KEYWORDS: Donald Trump plumbing contractors

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jen anesi brombach aug2018 200x200

Jen Anesi-Brombach was a Chief Editor of Plumbing & Mechanical.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Green Plumbing and Mechanical
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
  • March 2024 Women in Plumbing hero image of woman engineer overlayed by circle of hexagon shapes with numbers from 1 to 10

    Celebrating 10 Influential Women in the Plumbing Industry

    Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

Underfloor heating installation with drain sewer hole in bathroom close up on water floor heating.

Using hydronics to leverage time-of-use electrical rates

Watts Nexa mobile image

Behind the Wall: Where smart plumbing gets smarter

Six tankless water heaters that feed the nutraceutical manufacturer’s operations.

How to deliver large volumes of hot water quickly and intermittently

PMCE Home-X April 29 Free Webinar: From Legacy to Leadership: Preparing Your Home Services Business for the Next Generation

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

Related Articles

  • Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Denver

    PM’s 2012 Best Contractor to Work For: Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Denver

    See More
  • PM's Best Contractor 2013

    PM’s 2013 Best Contractor To Work For: CK Mechanical, Plumbing & Heating, Mills, Wyo.

    See More
  • PM'S 2006 BEST CONTRACTOR TO WORK FOR: Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical Inc.

    See More
×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing