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Coronavirus

Luxury Hotel CEO Steps Down Amid Coronavirus Relief Loan Pushback But Controversy Lingers

Cameron Sperance

Photo Credit: The Ashton (pictured) in Ft. Worth, Texas, is among the Ashford Hospitality Trust properties receiving coronavirus relief funding.  Wikimedia / Michael Barera

Skift Take

Douglas Kessler's resignation only addresses one part of a luxury hotel portfolio tied to Monty Bennett receiving tens of millions of dollars in small business relief.

The president and CEO of Dallas-based Ashford Hospitality Trust is stepping down after the company received pushback over the $30 million it received from the Paycheck Protection Program, part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief fund passed in March. Tens of thousands of small businesses are still waiting to receive funds. Companies like Shake Shack and Ruth’s Chris Steak House received, and later promised to return, PPP loans. But despite the departure of CEO Douglas Kessler and the controversy, Ashford Hospitality leaders maintain the company and two related companies qualified for the program and will keep the mon

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