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Dear New Yorkers,

Many straphangers know of the furniture resale platform Kaiyo, whose ads are frequently seen in subway cars.

In subway ads, the Manhattan-based company promised “secondhand furniture, first-rate experience.”

But now, as the company prepares to fold, Kaiyo account-holders are sharing complaints about being locked out — and unable to access their funds.

In late July, Sophia Harrison requested her $172.25 payout for the bed frame she sold through the platform and was told the transaction would take seven to 10 business days to process. It never went through. Then, last Friday, she learned she had been locked out of her Kaiyo account.

Now, she and other customers are submitting complaints to the authorities.

“I am FUMING,” wrote a customer on Reddit. “Beware kaiyo has owed me money since June and many others are experiencing the same,” wrote another.

Read more here about the complaints against Kaiyo, which didn’t respond to THE CITY’s request for comment.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 8/10. WHAT A CHANGE! High temperatures only reach the mid-70s with a northwesterly breeze. Dew points fall into the upper 40s (!) later this afternoon. Despite a few clouds hanging around, the vibes are rising quickly today!

Our Other Top Story

On the latest episode of FAQ NYC, the hosts discuss the federal investigations into Mayor Eric Adams, the NYC subplots of this week’s Democratic Convention in Chicago, stranded air travelers, weekend beach closures, what to expect from protesters in the Fall, and more. Listen here.

Reporter’s Notebook

Santos Pleads Guilty

Former Congressman George Santos pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, months after being expelled from his seat representing parts of Queens and Long Island.

He faces a minimum of two years in federal prison for the identity theft charge and a maximum of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, according to Newsday.

Federal prosecutors slapped Santos with a 23-count indictment in October, alleging wire fraud, falsifying records to the Federal Election Commission, identity theft and money laundering.

“It has been the proudest achievement of my life to represent you, and I believe I did so to the best of my abilities,” Santos said during a tearful apology outside court on Monday.

“But you also trusted me to represent you with honor and to uphold the values that are essential to our Democracy, and in that regard, I failed you,” he added.

Santos flipped a longtime Democratic seat for the Republicans in 2022. But the biography he presented during the campaign— including jobs at high-powered Wall Street firms and a turn as a college volleyball star — turned out to be a pack of lies. He announced he would not seek re-election last fall and was later voted out by his peers, after spending less than a year in Congress.

Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi won back the seat, which he’d previously held, in a special election earlier this year.

— Katie Honan

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Thursday, Aug. 22: Nature Exploration: Wildlife Appreciation, a series of nature education programs celebrating local plants, animals and insects. Free on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Audubon Center in Prospect Park. Saturday, Aug. 24: An outdoor performance of “Tosca” by the New York City Opera. Free from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Bryant Park in Manhattan. Saturday, Aug. 24: NYC Discovery Lab, family-friendly activities that dive into how the city’s water works. Free with admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York in Manhattan.

THE KICKER: Veselka has reopened its front counter for dine-in customers for the first time since the pandemic, reports EV Grieve.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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