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Cruise operator lawsuit slams NYC mayor’s ‘cozy relationship’ with rival
A pleasure boat operator in New York is accusing NYC mayor Bill de Blasio of favoritism after its operating permit was suspended.
Freedom Cruises has filed a $30 million lawsuit alleging a ‘cozy relationship’ between the mayor and Freedom’s competitor Hornblower.
Freedom won an injunction for the time being to allow it to continue operating after the city’s Economic Development Corp yanked its permit.
The agency alleged it received anonymous complaints about Freedom Cruises’ ticket-sellers soliciting customers outside a designated sales area.
These are ‘unsubstantiated’ complaints that the agency has refused to discuss, Freedom said.
The lawsuit alleges Hornblower received nearly three times as many complaints resulting in court summonses for unlawful selling.
"The supposed complaints are bogus and merely an excuse to eliminate Freedom from Pier 36 so that Hornblower can take over our previously thriving business," Freedom Cruises CEO Pjeter Vulaj stated in court papers.
"The revocation of the permit was driven not by any alleged complaints, which have never been substantiated, but rather by the desire of one of Freedom’s competitors to drive [Freedom] out of business."
"Hornblower, Freedom’s direct competitor in the New York City pleasure-cruising business, has a particularly cozy relationship with the current mayoral administration," the lawsuit alleges.
Separately, Hornblower was awarded a $30 million contract to operate the city ferry service.
"This lawsuit is completely baseless and any allegations that the termination of the permit was improper are unfounded," the Economic Development Corp said.
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