Point Pleasant Beach Motel Forced Renters To Pay Amid Coronavirus

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Two people who run a motel in Point Pleasant Beach were charged this weekend for violating Gov. Phil Murphy's emergency order by forcing renters to pay amid the coronavirus crisis.

The incident happened on Saturday when officers responded to the Beach Amethyst Motel at 202 Arnold Ave. on a report of a dispute between management and occupants of several rooms, police said.

Upon arrival, officers separated the individuals and learned that the dispute started when the manager began demanding tenants pay their rent or leave, police said.

The tenants also reported having their power shut off to several rooms for not paying their rent on time, police said.

An investigation showed a pattern by management and the owner of the motel where power and cable were shut off repeatedly in rooms where occupants were late on their rent, police said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office was contacted and authorized charges against the owner, John Fernicola, and the manager, Amanda Wood. Each was charged with four counts of committing an unlawful act while under the governor's state of emergency.

Police had responded to the motel several times a day since April 1 for various incidents, including disputes, assaults, disturbances and threats. Since the coronavirus outbreak began, police have not received any other reports of landlords or motel owners reacting in this manner by forcing people to pay their rent, police said.

The lack of cooperation from the motel has diverted resources on numerous occasions for matters "exacerbated by their actions and attitudes," police said.

"These are trying times, and people are obligated to work with each other in order to pay their rent. However, using these tactics to force or threaten compliance will not be tolerated," said Chief Joseph Michigan.