05-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Lawyers for Belfast-born businessman cite example of World Cup workers in Qatar pay dispute
Belfast-born tycoon is using America's Rico Act to bring a case against the Qatari royals who, he says, owe him millions, writes Sean Pollock
Paddy McKillen's lawyers have accused members of the Qatari royal family of exploiting his services in a luxury hotel empire expansion, citing 'striking similarities' to other practices by the Qataris, including claims that migrant construction workers were not paid during the World Cup.
The court complaint filed by McKillen's lawyers in the Central District of California was put forward under America's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act. Under this kind of case, McKillen's legal team must establish a pattern of alleged racketeering activity, meaning they must provide previous examples they claim show such actions – such as allegations that companies linked to the Qataris failed to pay workers in the past.
