Introduction to the Case
An Irish hotel investor has accused members of the royal family in Qatar of failing to pay him for work done for the The Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel.
Businessman Patrick McKillen filed a federal lawsuit against the Qatari royals and associates accusing them of racketeering and failing to provide compensation for work for the 205-room luxury hotel at 225 North Canon Drive, the Beverly Hills Courier reported.
Background of the Lawsuit
McKillen, of Dublin-based Hume Street Management Consultants, is seeking $20 million in damages. In the complaint, attorneys for McKillen describe a “lawless plot” concocted by the defendants to deliberately withhold payment from McKillen while continuing to make use of his services. McKillen’s lawsuit alleges a seven-year international fraud scheme orchestrated by members of the Qatari royal family. The suit claims McKillen was deceived and denied compensation for extensive work on several luxury hotel projects, including the Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Defendants in the Lawsuit
Named defendants include Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (HBK), his daughter Sheikha Lulwah and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (HBJ). Business associates Michele Faissola and Marc Socker are also accused of acting as agents for the royals in the alleged scheme. “This complaint alleges in detail how Qatar’s former Emir (HBK) and Prime Minister (HBJ), along with other senior members of the Royal family and their executives, have defrauded their business partners around the world and used the assets they control, like the Quintet Bank, to retaliate against and intimidate those who fight back,” Michael Gottlieb, an attorney for McKillen, said in a statement.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
McKillen, who reportedly co-owns a whiskey distillery with U2 frontman Bono, said he and his team “undertook a massive redevelopment effort” on the Beverly Hills hotel — where rooms go for more than $1,000 a night — over a two-year period, but were not paid millions of dollars allegedly owed for the work done, according to the Los Angeles Times. McKillen, who helped develop the Maybourne Hotel Group following its evolution from the Savoy Group in 2004, sold his stake in 2015 but remained involved in hotel development. According to the complaint, the fraud began when HBK expressed interest in acquiring the Montage Beverly Hills in 2019 to convert it into a Maybourne property.
Events Leading to the Lawsuit
Socker and Sheikha Lulwah reportedly approached McKillen to consult on the purchase. He traveled to Qatar in October 2019 to discuss the project aboard HBK’s yacht, agreeing to manage and redevelop the hotel. Following HBK’s purchase in December 2019, McKillen undertook substantial work through January 2022 — transitioning branding, redesigning suites, overseeing budgeting, and navigating Beverly Hills planning requirements. McKillen says he began seeking compensation in June 2021, but was repeatedly rebuffed by Faissola and Sheikha Lulwah. The suit alleges that the defendants never intended to pay McKillen, concealed that decision, and continued benefiting from his services under false pretenses.
Other Allegations and Legal Actions
The complaint also claims McKillen was similarly denied payment for his work on the Maybourne Riviera, Îlot Saint-Germain in France, and a Manhattan residence owned by HBJ. Additional legal actions have been filed in the U.K., France and California.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Patrick McKillen against the Qatari royals and their associates marks a significant case of alleged fraud and racketeering in the international hotel industry. The outcome of this case will have implications for business relationships between investors and royal families, highlighting the importance of transparency and fairness in international business dealings.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Patrick McKillen and what is his claim?
A: Patrick McKillen is an Irish hotel investor who claims that members of the Qatari royal family failed to pay him for work done on the Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel, among other projects. - Q: How much is McKillen seeking in damages?
A: McKillen is seeking $20 million in damages. - Q: Who are the named defendants in the lawsuit?
A: The named defendants include Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (HBK), his daughter Sheikha Lulwah, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (HBJ), and business associates Michele Faissola and Marc Socker. - Q: What other legal actions have been taken besides the federal lawsuit in the U.S.?
A: Additional legal actions have been filed in the U.K., France, and California. - Q: What is the significance of this lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit highlights allegations of fraud and racketeering in international business dealings, specifically between investors and royal families, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness.
