New York City marshals are cashing in again after losing out on millions of dollars during a nearly two-year eviction freeze, city records show.
The city’s 31 marshals earned a net income of about $11.6 million in 2022, nearly three times their take-home pay in the previous two years when the pandemic spurred a pause on evictions, according to the most recent annual report from the Department of Investigation, which oversees the marshals.
Three marshals earned a net income of $1 million after paying staff and sending the city a 4.5% cut on gross proceeds last year, the department’s data shows. Queens-based marshal Martin Bienstock took in nearly $1.8 million, while Manhattan marshals Ronald Moses and Stephen Biegel made $1.4 million and about $1.1 million respectively, according to the department’s records.
The marshals run their own offices and carry out evictions, boot and tow vehicles, and collect debts on behalf of creditors throughout the five boroughs.
But critics say the city is losing out on millions of dollars — and incentivizing aggressive debt collection strategies — by turning those responsibilities over to private, politically connected officers appointed to five-year terms by the mayor. The city received less than $1.2 million of the $25.2 million that marshals made in gross income last year.
Even former Mayor Bill de Blasio criticized the model during an appearance on “The Brian Lehrer Show” in 2018, saying it was time to “see if this approach makes sense at this point.”
Gothamist contacted all 30 marshals active in New York City this year to discuss their rebounding income and various responsibilities. None agreed to talk.
Staff for Bienstock, Moses and 16 other marshals said they were in the field, with several carrying out evictions or serving paperwork. Staff for Biegel and seven others referred questions to the Marshals Association, a trade group representing the officials.
Marshals Association spokesperson Michael Woloz said the…
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