NY1 Exclusive: Mathieu Eugene Shows Off His New 40th District Apartment
February 25, 2007
Less than a week after making history by becoming the first Haitian-born person elected to the City Council, Mathieu Eugene faces questions over his residency; questions that could lead to another election. NY1's Michael Scotto filed the following exclusive report.
Newly elected City Councilman Mathieu Eugene says he moved into his new apartment in the 40th district before the election, signing the lease on February 1st.
NY1 was unable to see the document, but Eugene insists he and his family are currently living in the apartment. He says he can't recall the exact day they moved in, but he remembers that it was before voters went to the polls to elect him.
"I've been sleeping in my apartment before the day of the election," says Eugene.
Last week questions erupted over whether Eugene could serve, after his lawyer asked the City Council to cancel Eugene's swearing-in ceremony, shortly after his victory. At the time, his spokesman said Eugene still hadn't completely moved in.
According to election law, a person must be a resident of the district at the time he is chosen. It's unclear if that means election day or the time when the ballots are certified, which has not happened yet. But Eugene says the residency issue was not the reason he decided to postpone taking office.
"Before a candidate can be sworn in, the vote has to be certified by the Board of Elections," says Eugene.
Eugene spoke to NY1 with the woman he'd replace, his chief supporter, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, at his side.
"The emphasis on this issue right now is a distraction," she says.
They suspect that some are out to hurt Eugene.
"I think because I won, because I won," says Eugene. "I don't know who [raised it]."
Eugene is still out greeting voters. He says during the campaign he made no secret of that fact that he lived a few miles outside the district. His petitions to board of election clearly state his Canarsie address, a home he moved to after living in the 40th district for 20 years.
Eugene says he remained active in this district during the time he wasn't living here, running a health organization he established.
Right now, he's focused on his political problems. Questions over his residency could lead to a do-over election, one that he could take part in.
"I don't think they can take away this victory from the people," says Eugene. "This is not only my victory. This is the victory of the people in the 40th district."
But for now, that victory appears uncertain.
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NY1 Exclusive: Mathieu Eugene Shows Off His New 40th District Apartment
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