An 83-year-old widow in Honolulu, Sandra May, can keep her home after reaching a settlement with the city over nearly $600,000 in fines stemming from what she says was an online rental listing error. May, a retiree, rents an attached apartment on her property to supplement her fixed income. After her rental unit was accidentally advertised online as available for short-term stays, the city fined her $10,000 a day for nearly two months.

Settlement Details

May’s attorneys from the Pacific Legal Foundation argued the unit was never actually available for short-term stays and that the listing stemmed from a website glitch on the hosting platform. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the city placed a lien on May’s home, blocked her from renewing her driver’s license and vehicle registration, and told her to “get an attorney.” May filed a federal lawsuit against the city and recently reached a settlement that reduces her total fine by 95%, allowing her to remain in the home where she has lived for 56 years.

Under the terms of the settlement, May agreed to a reduced penalty of $30,000. The city will record a $30,000 civil fine lien against her home, but will not initiate foreclosure during her lifetime. The fine will be paid through escrow if she sells the property, or through foreclosure following her death.

Broader Issue on Oahu

May’s attorneys said her case highlights a broader issue on Oahu, where the city has issued more than $90 million in fines for similar rental advertising violations. Attorney Loren Seehase told Fox News Digital the settlement “sends a clear message to Honolulu and municipalities across the country” that “governments cannot impose crushing financial penalties without constitutional limits.”

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.