Say it, don’t spray it, Reverend.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist, Baptist minister, talk show host and politician, has been attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. As reported by the NY Post, the 66-year-old MSNBC host has been going about maskless around his new luxury Upper East Side condominium building. Another resident at Bristol Plaza, the 50-story 308-unit posh building, has complained that the reverend has not been wearing a mask in the building’s common areas, including the elevators and gym. The neighbor said that the building houses many senior citizens and also provides temporary apartments for cancer patients and other immunocompromised patients at nearby Memorial-Sloan Kettering hospital.
The condo building’s rules state that, “our residents are required to wear a mask or face covering whenever they leave their apartment, even if they do not go outside of the building.” Violating the rule, would result in a warning and then a $500 fine for a repeated offense. The fine would double if they continue to violate the guidelines, says a November 10 memo to residents. A representative of the building’s management agency refused to comment as to whether the minister has received a fine. A peek at Sharpton’s Instagram posts, however, confirms that he does go about the building maskless. His “morning thoughts” videos, which are recorded from the building’s gym, feature him without a mask.
Sharpton moved into the $2 million pad last year. The renovated three bedroom, 2.5 baths apartment has an asking rent of $14,000 a month, as per the real estate listing. The building, on 65th Street, sets out to make residents feel like “long-term visitors”. The Posh living space boasts daily maid service with fresh towels and quality linens, a 24-hour doorman and concierge along with full valet service, as per a listing. The building also has an indoor pool and gym.
The comfortable pad’s rent falls into place thanks to Sharpton’s $1 million income in 2018, just from his nonprofit, National Action Network. Sharpton has also been seen outside the building, being picked up by fancy cars including a Mercedes or BMW SUV. Notwithstanding, the outspoken activist and his companies still have over $3 million in open tax warrants, public records show. Three of his businesses owe $760,309 in state corporate taxes. He has said he is paying down the debts.
Sharpton’s spokeswoman did not return the Post’s request for comment. He may have gotten the hint though, as he managed to don a mask in his latest Instagram videos.
