BOUNCED: Hoboken Nightclub Under Investigation for Lewd Conduct Gets Evicted

HUB Hoboken is no more, after the landlords at 16-18 Hudson Place successfully evicted the nightclub on the grounds of lease violations.

HUB Hoboken was facing a disciplinary hearing over a lewd acts conducted on their premises, which would result in the revocation of their liquor license.

On September 8, an individual by the name of, “Kirill,” a.k.a. “@Slutwhisperer,” had a sponsored appearance at HUB on the night of the incident.

Numerous cell phone videos from a variety of angles and viewpoints show an emcee, who stood on the bar at Hoboken nightclub and sprayed champagne on a unnamed female who was in a state of undress. A male clubgoer then engaged in acts with the female on the bar. The resulting videos have subsequently gone viral, sparking widespread condemnation.

That hearing was initially scheduled for September 20, then bumped to October 25. Recently, it was announced that the hearing would take place on Tuesday, November 6th, after defense attorneys requested further time to secure the 30+ witness and “hours of video” they had planned to present. The eviction, however, leaves uncertainty as to how the investigation will proceed.

“All parties are working on finalizing the terms of an agreement. If everyone is on board, there will be no ABC Board hearing, and the terms will be made public. If they can’t agree, the hearing will be rescheduled,” City spokesperson Santiago Melli-Huber told Hudson County View.

(ABOVE: Dian Fini photo)

“We are glad HUB will never open again,” said landlord Dian Fini—who owns that building and several more in Hoboken, along with her husband, Hoboken Fire Captain Mario Fini. “Sadly, many people lost their jobs and these events created economic fallout for all those associated with it, including us.”

Fini added, “I hope everyone knows we are good, law-abiding people, who love Hoboken, a place where we live and work and have raised our family. Mario and I have strong ties to the Hoboken community where we also employ many people who share our concern for and commitment to the community.”

“Kirill,” a.k.a. “@Slutwhisperer”

The subsequent investigation into the events at HUB pulled back the curtain on the Fini’s entangling ownership and management agreements with several hospitality venues in Hoboken. In a later article, Jersey Journal reporter Terrence McDonald went on to point out that venues connected to HUB are responsible for 30% of the city’s “Tavern Sheets”, which are issued by Hoboken Police Officers responding to situations at a license hospitality venue.

In regards to criminal charges for the individuals who engaged in the acts on September 8, Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante told hMAG on October 25, “At this time, there still has not been any criminal charges filed, and the criminal investigation remains open.” We have asked the Chief for any developments on those charges, and will update this story.

According to Jeffrey Garrigan, an attorney representing HUB Hoboken, the man in the videos appears to be a police officer in Pennsylvania. “It is believed that the male is employed by the State of Pennsylvania as a law enforcement officer and it is our sincere hope that arrests are imminent for their lewd conduct which has seriously harmed our reputation,” said Garrigan, in a statement to the press. He did not reveal the man’s identity.

HUB Hoboken has remained closed since the September 14, when the media cork popped on this incident, bringing worldwide scrutiny upon Hoboken and its legendary nightlife scene.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has called the incident, “an affront to human decency and a horrific objectification of women,” and vowed serious repercussions. “I will use all my powers as Mayor to make sure it never happens in our City again.”