Latest news with #Learjet
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Owners of luxe steakhouse opening in Trump-owned building used COVID funds for personal expenses: lawsuit
The owners of a luxury Chicago steakhouse who are opening an outpost at a Midtown tower that's partially owned by Donald Trump allegedly used federal funds meant to pay employees' salaries during COVID for personal expenses – including $2 million on Learjet, according to a bombshell lawsuit. Maple Hospitality Group, the owners behind Maple & Ash, was accused of 'fraudulently' tapping $7.6 million in Small Business Paycheck Protection Program funds, according to the civil suit brought by investors in Chicago's Cook County Circuit Court. 'The MA restaurants never received a dollar of these funds,' according to the suit, which was obtained by The Post. 4 Maple & Ash, which opened its flagship steakhouse in Chicago in 2015, is the nation's fourth-highest-grossing restaurant with more than $35 million in revenue a year. Google Maps According to the complex case, the alleged misappropriation was part of a wider pattern of fiscal wrongdoing by Maple & Ash co-owner Jerald Lasky, his brother James Lasky and by companies controlled by them. Although the lawsuit refers only to 'private jet expenses,' the Chicago Sun-Times and radio station WBEZ traced the payment for the pricey Learjet in 2021 to 'a company whose president is James Lasky.' The owners have denied the charges in the complaint, which was first filed three years ago but received little media attention outside the Windy City. As reported in The Post in February, Maple Hospitality Group signed a lease for 12,000 square feet at 1290 Sixth Ave., which is majority-owned by Vornado Realty Trust but where the Trump Organization has a 30% passive stake. Trump's position reels in more than $60 million in annual rent revenue. 4 Maple & Ash co-owner James Lasky and his brother Jerald denied using federal funds meant to pay employees' salaries during COVID for personal expenses. Maple Hospitality Maple & Ash, which opened its flagship steakhouse in Chicago in 2015, is the nation's fourth-highest-grossing restaurant with more than $35 million revenue a year. But there seems to be as much sizzle in the Chicago court as on its fancy plates. Investors who helped raise $3 million each to open Maple & Ash in Chicago and in Scottsdale, Ariz., also claim the company wrongfully used profits to fund the owners' other restaurant brands in other cities, according to the complaint. The Laskys allegedly retaliated against the investors for filing the suit by dissolving their interests in the company, according to an amended filing. 4 A Maple & Ash restaurant will be opening at 1290 Sixth Ave. later this year. J. Scott Wynn James Lasky has been sanctioned by the judge in the case for failing to comply with court orders to turn over bank records and other information. He was ordered to cover plaintiffs' $191,000 legal fees resulting from withholding information, court records show. The lawyer for the investors, Michael Forde of Forde & O'Meara, said he hoped the case would finally go to trial early next year. James Lasky's lawyer, James Stamos of Stamos & Trucco, didn't immediately respond to an email and phone call. 4 Maple & Ash's newly opened restaurant in Miami. Google Maps The hospitality group launched another steakhouse in Miami in March. Haut Living magazine said the restaurant 'brings [the brand's] signature blend of refined dining, uninhibited energy, and indulgent luxury to the Magic City.' The Big Apple opening is slated for later this year.
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland should ask Qatar for new Government jet, suggests senator
Ireland should ask Qatar for a new Government jet, a senator has suggested. The Department of Defence has signed a deal to purchase a French-made €53m Falcon 6X, with delivery expected in December. But Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy has suggested Ireland should ask Qatar, which is set to gift US president Donald Trump a 0m plane, for a similar deal. 'Given Qatar's apparent willingness to provide such high-value assets as diplomatic gifts, should Ireland explore similar avenues? If jets are being handed out, perhaps we should throw our diplomatic hat in the ring. Maybe we could talk them into giving us a Learjet or a Gulfstream or something that is not as flash as the one for Air Force One but has leather seats, decent wi-fi and perhaps a microwave for heating sausage rolls. Ms McCarthy has called upon the foreign affairs minister to explore diplomatic negotiations, telling the Seanad: "While we do not need a palace in the sky, such diplomacy could yield a significant rate to Irish taxpayers". US president Donald Trump has defended accepting a jet from Qatar, saying Air Force One is 40 years old. Picture: AP /Manuel Balce Ceneta ABC News reported Mr Trump will use the plane as a new version of Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his yet-to-be-built presidential library. Mr Trump defended the idea, saying the existing Air Force One was 40 years old. 'We're the United States of America. I believe we should have the most impressive plane," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity. The Falcon 6X will have a total seating capacity of 17 persons and a passenger capacity of 14. It will be operated by the Irish Air Corps from Baldonnel.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Learjet crew returns after record-setting Polar flight
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Touching down in ICT on Monday, a Learjet has become the first plane of its kind to perform a polar circumnavigation. The trip took the four-pilot crew five days to complete, as they flew from the Southern Polar Region to the Northern. Through exhaustion, five continents, and weather delays, the crew landed back on the same runway they took off from, and as they touched solid ground for the first time in two days, they received a hero's welcome. 'That tin can right there gets smaller and smaller each hour you spend in it,' pilot on the Polar Mission, Josh Podlich, said. Taking off from Wichita on Thursday, the original flight plan was supposed to get them home in three days. Weather delays in Argentina stalled them, and extended the trip from a Saturday touchdown to a Monday one. Captain Bart Gray oversaw the flight as the wheels set down on tarmac after 23,000 miles and 58 hours of flight time. 'We've been in the airplane for about two and a half days, so a shower is definitely at the top of the list,' Gray said. REAL ID enforcement starts this week: 5 things to know Across the five continents they stopped in, his crew got a bird's eye view of oceans, mountains and glaciers. 'You cross a waterway, and you approach a landmass and it's solid ice and snow as far as the eye can see. The uninterrupted mountains and terrains, it's gorgeous. Untouched by humans,' Podlich said. Their four-foot-tall, ten-foot-long cabin became a well-oiled machine of work and sleep. Everybody kind of does their part, and then we're all just excited to get moving … When you're in the airplane, you're either sitting in the cockpit talking to the other guy or sleeping in the back,' Gray said. In the crowd waiting on the tarmac were pilot Kirby Ezelle's wife and daughter. 'They got me. It was great. I did not expect to see her and my wife here, that was nice, a great surprise,' Ezelle said. They say their hard work paid off, but the Learjet crew is just happy to set foot back on solid ground. 'It's a testament to the airplane. It's a testament to the airplane that Bill Lear built,' Gray said. The Classic Lear Jet Foundation aims for the mission to drive attention and funds to their cause of restoring the first Learjet sold in Wichita to flight conditions. You can watch a live interview with the Learjet captain below: For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
McConnell AFB boosts security with training exercise
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — People who live near McConnell Air Force Base may notice a lot more activity this week. On Monday, the base kicked off a five-day training exercise near the southern training grounds. Neighbors and people passing by may see smoke and extra traffic, and hear more noise from the area. If you need to visit the base this week, you may have a longer wait at the gate because increased security measures will also be in place. Learjet completes polar trip, returning to Wichita today For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Learjet completes polar trip, returning to Wichita today
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Learjet 36A that took off from Wichita last Wednesday evening has made it to the Arctic Circle and is returning to Wichita. The Learjet Polar Mission plane and crew have been attempting a polar circumnavigation involving several things. First, they had to cross over 75 degrees south latitude, which they did on Friday. Then they had to head north, crossing the equator more than 90 degrees from where they crossed it when heading south. Rain returns and will stick around through the week The crew's latest goal was achieved as the Learjet crossed over 75 degrees north latitude, into the northern polar region. Captain Bart Gray posted the update on social media. Snowy mountains, icy airstrips, and that unreal Arctic light, what a moment. From the bottom of the world to the top, the Polar Mission is officially in the Arctic Circle!' Captain Bart Gray, Learjet Polar Mission The final element of the polar circumnavigation is that they must return to Bombardier Building 14 in Wichita, where they started the journey. The plane should arrive around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. The original goal was to fly over the South and North Poles in three days, but weather conditions made that impossible. The flight was to raise funds for the restoration of Lear Jet 23-003, the first Lear Jet ever sold in the Air Capital, back when the company was called Lear Jet instead of Learjet. Rowe says the Lear Jet 23-003 started the business jet industry in Wichita. Global Jetcare, an air ambulance service in Florida, volunteered its plane, and four of the company's pilots have been taking turns flying the mission. You can track the journey at You can also get updates from the crew on the Classic Lear Jet Foundation Facebook page. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
