True story.
Yes, a sitting Hoboken City Councilman (public figure) called the Hoboken Police Department to complain about a local resident's blog post containing public domain information.
Calling the police? Why the police? Why not the Army?
I have no idea, but it was weird. Especially since the story about his AirBNB listing did not originate with me. I picked it up following publication on two local media outlets: Tapinto and Hudson County View. The listing is public domain. His listing is recognizable from Zoom meetings- the brick wall, artwork, built-in-shelves, that are streamed out live every Council meeting.
Anyway, the lovely Hoboken Police Captain I spoke with described Councilman DeFusco's complaint. He was very professional. In response, I promised to remove the offending links-- and I have. All gone!
You know, the HPD under Chief Ken Ferrante does a fantastic job keeping Hoboken residents safe, keeping crime down and communicating with the public- all in spite of the frequent criticism posed by DeFusco and his Council allies. But when he needs a 'favor' he snaps his finger...
I certainly would have responded to an email, or a phone call from one of our mutual friends. Why would he bother the HPD?
Weird. Happy to answer questions from media.
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| https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hoboken/sections/government/articles/pay-to-stay-hoboken-councilman-addresses-use-of-home-as-airbnb-rental-during-pandemic-b70cff56-5853-428e-9ed2-f0427c645ab0 |
It isn't easy to wear that AirBnB crown. But SuperHost Michael has garnered nearly 2 dozen 5-star reviews from guests at his Renovated Urban Oasis w/ private patio, for which he charges $150 per night.
Good for him.
Why let an empty apartment go to waste when it can generate oodles of Benjamins? Meanwhile, SuperHost Michael globetrots through a deadly, once-in-a-century pandemic with his fellow Americans dropping dead left and right; can you blame him? Its depressing, all those sick, old people. Who wouldn't want to pick up and get away from them? Especially when Others can fill your vacuum of leadership; people like Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, volunteers Migdalia Pagan Milano, Cristin Cricco-Powell and Raahkee Merchandani who helped seniors pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine... they even flyered SuperHost's Columbian Towers.
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| January 16, 2021: Making sure SuperHost Michael's senior constituents know how to get covid vaccines |
As for reporting income from side-gigs, in accordance with government ethics rules, public officials like SuperHost Michael must report those earnings on their Financial Disclosure form.
In my opinion, our City Council should request that Hoboken's Law Department perform an ethics review of DeFusco's lucrative side-gig. The guest list, for example. Imagine you were a vendor wanting a contract with the City of Hoboken, why wouldn't you send guests to the Renovated Urban Oasis w/ private patio? You might send a few dozen guests. And don't you wonder who is managing that Renovated Urban Oasis w/ private patio --cleaning, making beds, filling soap dispenser, etc., while SuperHost is in Croatia? Does this individual or property manager do business (or want to) with the City of Hoboken? Start that ethics review!
Well, if SuperHost Michael were my Councilman, I'd have plenty of questions.
Lucky for you, your Council SuperHost will take your questions at 9AM on Thursday, May 6 in a Phil-Cohen style Mornings with Mike. To ensure that Mornings with Mike are not mere photo-ops packed with sycophants tailored for Facebook and Twitter, I do urge folks to show up. Given his busy international travel schedule, it may be your only chance.
Bring your questions to Mornings with Mike on May 6!
It's a lovely two bedroom closet.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely one bedroom, not a closet. I don't begrudge any public official who supplements their income with a passive revenue stream, like an AirBNB or an Of-Counsel title. But, DeFusco is a lawmaker and Hoboken Redevelopment Authority, appoints municipal board members, votes on contracts with City Vendors, and sits on a controlling political faction (thanks,Jen and Tiffanie). The fact that he's been secretive about his side-gig, and making nonsensical excuses that it's not really "his" but a shared account with a person in Europe, is a red flag in my opinion. As far as I know, AirBNB permits co-hosting, but not shared accounts. It seems to me like the only reason to be less than forthcoming, is to hide something. Why? Of course, he is allowed to earn money as a SuperHost, it's perfectly legal. But just like the council demanded transparency for the mayor's side-gig, it must go both ways. Right?
DeleteIt's not clear that DeFusco's side hustle is actually legal.
ReplyDeleteLast March, Governor Murphy's Executive Order 108 and Administrative Order 2020-6 gave governing bodies the right to place stops on short term (AirBnB and VRBO) rentals. I don't believe that's been changed.
After that, the Mayor's office issued this statement: "...the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management banned the use of short-term rentals for non-Hoboken residents through an executive order, to protect the health and safety of Hoboken residents."
Did DeFusco, at one of the few meetings he attended, vote in favor of changing the Hoboken OEM's ban to line his own pockets at the risk of spreading COVID-19 locally and internationally for a few shekels?
SuperHost or SuperSpreader? And does he have a social gathering permit for his park performances while the entire state of New Jersey continues to be at high risk for spreading COVID-19?
Wow- I wasn't aware of the EO, that OEM had banned short-term rentals. It makes perfect sense given the public health emergency, and efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Hoboken.
DeleteWell, that certainly casts the Councilman's business venture in a different light.
He is such a big baby bully! So Trumpy between the blocking on the social medias and calling the cops on ya? Jeepers I'm sure his AirBnb is doing even better with all the free publicity! DeFusco Towers indeed!
ReplyDeleteThe whiny little twerp called the cops and asked them to intervene and have you take down a post, linking a news article about a potentially illegal business he's running? Is he that stupid?
ReplyDeleteThe oath of office he swore to doesn't seem to mean much to him. Time and again he seems really unclear on First Amendment protections, as in asking news outlets to take down pieces he doesn't like, and all the people he blocked on social media, which is illegal for an elected official to do on their public social media sites.
But the Tap article had good news embedded in it: DeFusco reveals he can't afford Hoboken without the parade of pandemic-deniers paying for his Park Avenue pad. Guess he'll be gone soon. Meanwhile, we're left to wonder if contact tracing leads COVID cases back to his place.
His neighbors must love him. Betcha the proprietary lease on his Condo doesn't allow an AirBnB business like this to be run on the premises.
The plot thickens.... looks like I wasn't the only one SuperHost complained to the HPD about regarding his AirBNB rental. At least two others- a local govt official and a reporter. I won't name them--it's their story to tell, not mine. But this is getting weirder.
DeleteIs he only AirBnB'ing his place while he's MIA? Or, has he turned his condo into an income property and he's actually living somewhere else? Maybe outside of the 1st Ward or even Hoboken? Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteA fuss was raised when Giattino had to vacate her home when it got slammed by Sandy, and Mason almost lost her council seat when she went MIA and missed a bunch of consecutive meetings with no excusals. DumbFusco should expect the same scrutiny.
DeleteAt tonight's council meeting, Aloia should inform the council members of their residency requirement and offer a legal opinion about the illegality of running a short-term rental operation when both the State and the City have stopped these potentially life-threatening and unnecessary interactions with travelers during the pandemic.
He claims he left town to protect his family. Admirable, but he doesn't seem to give a phuck about exposing his 1st ward neighbors to COVID.
If he was worried about protecting his family, why the hell was he traveling abroad and cycling through airports? The safest thing to do during a viral pandemic is stay in your home as much as possible and only leave when necessary like every responsible adult in the country has been doing. He really is a dim bulb.
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