Piri Thomas Weighs In: The Trustees Have Been Doing Us Dirty

  The Village Voice spoke to writer Piri Thomas about his dealings with Hotel Chelsea layabout David Elder. Here's what he had to say:

When reached at his California home, Thomas—who is battling his step-son David Elder, the man who residents say orchestrated the boardroom coup that ousted hotel lifeblood and long-time hotel manager Stanley Bard—was surprised that he has become a cause celebre among hotel residents. He couldn't believe that his once obscure case had been thrust into the spotlight after languishing in the courts for years.

But Thomas said he hoped to prevail:
"The trustees have just been doing us dirty," Thomas said. "They have been spending all the money so that we won't have any. It's just been terrible."

Thomas' wife, Suzie Dod Thomas, said she didn't want to comment on the case outright but clarified some information that's been reported. The next big date in the case is August 20 when a court-appointed mediator will consider Thomas' motion to have Elder removed as a trustee of the estate, she said. The appeal regarding the $1.2 million is indeed still pending, she said.

Comments

[chelsearez]

If there is any justice in this world, David Elder will be out on his ass August 20th, Piri Thomas will get his inheritance and Stanley Bard will be on his way to regaining control of the hotel. What a lot of nerve these partners have. It's wrong to take art for rent from struggling artists, but not to screw an old man out of his inheritance? God bless the Village Voice for looking into this, unlike the real estate reporters at the Times and the Observer. Its amazing some of these real estate reporters can breathe, what with their noses so far up rich people's bums.

[being here]

and this is the guy (mr.elder) who been giving every one the stink eye and dirty looks form behind the desk like he is some kinda big shot right,like he got some kinda power over every one here,or like we all own him something because of how great he is,can you say"entitlement" i think their is something really wrong with this guy, he needs to get a life and stay the hell out of ours, go get a really job mr. elders and stop trying to hurting people and get over on them its not nice you would be any richer at the end of the day- just more ugly

This is a typical Hotel Chelsea cause. We look after our own, and we look after others too. I remember when one elderly resident had liver cancer, and a young artist raised money from residents and former residents for his treatment (which was pretty successful as he lived about seven years beyond the prognosis of six months). Stanley once held an auction in the lobby to raise money for a resident's legal bills. Older residents helped younger residents get grants to complete their work, and on and on. There is no place like this left in Manhattan.

[ruby]

Piri Thomas is a wonderful writer and man! I can't believe this is happening to him. I'll go vote right now.