In a recent court hearing in Albany, New York, the owner of a suburban property claimed by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his residence testified that he pays $500 a month for a room on the premises. This testimony is part of a lawsuit challenging Kennedy's New York nominating petition, which allegedly listed a residence in the state's affluent northern suburbs while he has been living in Los Angeles since 2014.
The property owner, Barbara Moss, has owned the Katonah property since 1991 and stated that Kennedy is her tenant, paying a monthly rent for a room without a written lease. Moss confirmed that Kennedy's clothes were in the room's closet and dresser drawers, and he received mail at the house.
The lawsuit, filed by Clear Choice PAC on behalf of New York voters, alleges that Kennedy only visited the Katonah residence infrequently, despite his claims of residing there. Kennedy's lawyers argue that he has lived in New York since childhood and temporarily moved to California to support his wife's career.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Kennedy made a substantial payment to Moss shortly after his residency was questioned in a news article. The lawsuit also disputes Kennedy's account of being asked to leave a nearby property last year, with the owners of that house denying he was ever a tenant.
The case, which involves claims and counterclaims regarding Kennedy's residency status, is being decided by a judge without a jury. Kennedy's family ties to New York, including his father's tenure as a senator, add complexity to the legal dispute over his residency status.
