Representative Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, asserts that a malfunctioning payment portal hindered him from making an $85,000 rent payment for his penthouse apartment.
This luxury dwelling, which boasts views of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., costs $20,833 monthly.
The penthouse offers various amenities, including private elevators, stylish Italian cabinetry, calacatta quartz countertops, and top-tier hotel services.
This building was previously inhabited by Naomi, the granddaughter of former President Joe Biden.
According to the landlord, representatives from Florida’s District 7 have not remitted rent since March, a claim documented last week in the D.C. Superior Court.
“I know the facts might seem strange to you,” Mills posted on social media, addressing a reporter for the Daily Beast who initially covered the eviction situation. He mentioned that he had requested payment links multiple times over the past two months, and when he tried to use management today, it didn’t work.
Mills shared screenshots of emails he sent to his landlord on June 17 and July 3, stating that the payment link was “not working.”
He argued that the error messages he received, which he also documented, pointed to issues on the landlord’s part.
The broken payment portal has left Mills facing the threat of eviction, as he claims it prevented him from paying his rent.
Additionally, the landlord’s records indicate that Mills has been late on rent many times since he moved into the trendy building in June 2023.
A spokesperson for Mills did not provide immediate comments when asked for a statement.
The lawmaker’s office stated to the Washington Examiner that they have been in contact with the landlord from the onset to resolve the payment link problems so Mills could settle his dues.
The first hearing for the eviction case is scheduled for September.
