Steve J. Wantola Steve Wantola Boat Rental Scam Weehawken, New Jersey

Man by the name of Steve J. Wantola runs a "Botel", business. He advertises the rental of luxurious lifestyle living on his yachts and boats located at the Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club in Weehawken, NJ. He shows you a yacht called the Cavalier, offers to help you move in, and offers you a trial period of a week or two rent free in order to give you a chance to back out if you change your mind contingent upon you issuing him a check for the amount of one full months rent $825.

Seeming like a very genuine and honest individual he shakes your hand and gives you a written agreement for the terms you have discussed and a receipt for your payment. The day you show up to move in he explains that the boat agreed upon in your contract is needing some basic repairs which will be resolved in one day and in the meantime offers to have you stay on his more luxurious and more expensive boat for the night at no extra cost.

You are moved onto a boat which has been abandoned for several years, in serious disrepair, and absolutely filthy. With his apologies he explains it will only be for the night and offers to buy you groceries and dinner to compensate and leaves you. Leaning supplies so that you may make your one night stay more comfortable. He gives hou a tour of the kitchen, bathroom, toilette, shower, sleeping cabin, etc. He leaves you a list of instructions on how to perform basic operations on the boat such as electricity, water, etc. and kindly explains to call him if you have any trouble.

The list he leaves you upon leaving explains that the water system, toilettes, etc. are not in operation, you turn on the electricity which causes a massive circuit malfunction throughout the entire boat after only 30 seconds. You attempt to sleep in the cabin only to find that there is a significant water leak above the lower end of the mattress which is not visible, and turning on the heat causes a fire in the upper cabin requiring you to vacate the boat immediately.

Upon contacting him you receive a text stating he is unavailable after 9pm and before noon and only available after 5 on weekdays. After recovering your items from the vessel he completely vanishes for several days and suddenly contacts you to explain that be is terminating the Agreement due to harassment and damage to his property.

He then sends a text explaining he will meet you at the Port Authority Bus Station in Manhattan to refund your money at 5 pm and will wait only 15 min. Upon your arrival he hands you another contract or bill outlining the charges incurred during the period of time beginning when he took your check to the day he meets you for a refund. He also lists charges such as rent plus the storage of your personal items, electricity and water beginning the month prior, reimbursement for the grocery and cleaning items provided, and even charges you a significant fee for helping move your bags for your vehicle to the vessel, all totaling over $600 dollars.

Hands you a contract which is dated prior to your original signed contract, which voids the original agreement in its entirety, states that you agree not to file litigation of any kind towards him, his business, family, the yacht club, or any of his properties, assets and business's, and forgives him of all financial, and personal liability even in the case if death or physical harm which you are required to sign in order to receive any reimbursement. He refuses to give you the check for the remaining balance and becomes violent, threatening, and abusive. He begins making threats of violence and physical harm, and uses abusive and threatening language towards you if you do not sign the document.

You are pinned in a corner; sign and get something, or refuse and get nothing and take home to court, which he hands you a government statement that the Hudson River does not fall under United States law or jurisdiction and u are therefore unable to file a law suit.