Atlantic Beach candidate denies owing $11K in unpaid rent to former town manager
An Atlantic Beach businessman vying for a seat on the town council in next month’s election owes more than $11,000 in back rent to a former town manger for use of commercial space and a leased home, according to recently filed court documents.
But Shaun Swinson Sr., who operates Maestro’s Symphony for Hair at 3110 Highway 17 S., says the Aug. 28 suit filed by William Booker is in retaliation for complaints he’s made about on-site renovations, including the alleged removal of a firewall and installation of a kitchen space.
Booker and his attorney could not be reached for additional comment Oct. 12.
“You’re taking my livelihood, you’re taking my investment. You’re taking everything I’ve worked for, and what am I supposed to do then,” Swinson told The Sun News Oct. 12. That’s not what I came here for, I came here to establish myself.”
Booker, sued Aug. 28 claiming Swinson is in arrears by $11,420. Booker was town manager from 2010 through 2014 and mounted an unsuccessful run for mayor the following year.
Booker alleges in court filings that Swinson, who renewed his lease for the building in July 2022, stopped paying his business’s $1,500 monthly rent in April, falling into arrears for $8,900.
On top of that, Booker said Swinson has failed to pay a $1,200 monthly rental fee for a home at 306 29th Ave S. in Atlantic Beach since June.
Swinson denied those allegations and said he has documentation to prove his timely payments. He’s among four candidates running for three open Atlantic Beach town council seats.
The Nov. 7 race will reshape the town’s political landscape as major questions about Atlantic Beach’s future are yet to be answered, including the fate of a controversial $100 million “condotel” project that would block oceanfront views for dozens of residents.
Booker is currently president of the Association of Atlantic Beach Property Owners, a group opposed to seeing the 21-story high-rise constructed along Ocean Boulevard.
Swinson’s shop is described as an “upscale men’s grooming lounge” on social media. He said he’d put more than $30,000 worth of improvements into the 861-square-foot shop.
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 5:00 AM.