Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) is caught up in what is sure to be one of this week’s most bizarre controversies. The accusation against Nadler? He skipped out on paying his cab fare.
The accusing cab driver, Abraham Habteab, says Nadler requested to be driven from Union Station to a hotel in Southwest DC. What happened next is either a tale of mass miscommunication or a seriously penny-pinching congressman.
Apparently, Nadler asked Habteab to keep the meter running while he ran inside to drop off his luggage, promising the return shortly. Habteab refused, saying that he was required to stop the meter, and if Nadler wanted two rides he was going to have to pay twice.
That’s when things really escalated. Habteab reportedly called the police, and that’s when Nadler jumped out of the cab without paying for the ride.
So who was right- the cab driver or the congressman? According to the D.C. Taxicab Commission, the congressman should have paid the fare.
Oh and the cost of Nadler’s taxi ride? Eight dollars.
The Huffington Post has an official response from Nadler’s office, which maintains he was in the right:
“This is against the law, and Taxi Commission Chairman Leon Swain has clarified that point to me personally in a letter, which I shared with Mr. Habteab, but which he refused to read. Today, I spoke personally with Chairman Swain, who has confirmed that I was correct in relying on his interpretation of the law as stated in the letter.
“Therefore, as Mr. Habteab would not obey the law and take me to my final destination, I was obligated to find another driver who would. Of course taxi drivers have rights, but so do passengers. I am working with the Taxicab Commission and Mr. Habteab to ensure that he receives the correct payment, despite his misinterpretation of the law.”