Unsettling Discovery at Fairmont Chicago Hotel
A shocking incident at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) breakfast on Wednesday has led to a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Chicago police. Maggots were discovered in the food served to delegates at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel, raising suspicions of intentional contamination.
Immediate response and investigation
The alarming find has left officials scrambling for answers. Chicago police officers and Illinois state troopers were seen in the hotel lobby near the meeting rooms shortly after the discovery. The possibility of anyone consuming the infested food before it was detected remains unclear.
“We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning,” Fairmont Chicago hotel spokesperson Haley Robles told WGN Investigates.
Authorities are investigating reports of suspicious behavior before the incident. Several women were seen entering the hotel around 6:45 am and allegedly placed “unknown objects” on the table where the food was laid out.
“We were all coming down to breakfast, and there were these two women who had hidden themselves in the bathroom,” Indiana delegate Karen Tallian recounted to USA Today. “And they ran out and threw maggots into the breakfast buffet.”
Delegates’ reactions and hotel’s swift response
According to the convention schedule, breakfasts for delegates are served at various hotels in Chicago from 7 am to 9:30 am. Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd mentioned that her group was informed by the hotel staff about a slight delay in serving breakfast. “They protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes,” she said.
Law enforcement officials suspect that the maggots were placed as part of a protest. However, delegates have condemned such actions, deeming them inappropriate and harmful.
“All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,” said Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga.
A recurring tactic?
Delegates from Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, and South Dakota are currently staying at the Fairmont Hotel. The unsettling incident mirrors a similar act of protest last month at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, where mealworms and maggots were found on banquet tables during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stay.
The investigation continues as officials work to uncover the motives and individuals behind this disturbing event.