Charity influencer Marisa Hochberg accused of squatting has sued

Metro

From Ben Feuerherd

March 10, 2023 | 19:11

A charity influencer previously accused of using COVID-19 protections to squat in a Hamptons home was hit with a lawsuit Friday for allegedly misrepresenting her professional relationship with a high-profile Montauk hotspot.

The owner of the Montauk Surf Shack claimed in a Manhattan federal court lawsuit that Marisa Hochberg damaged the brand of the owner’s hotel and bar by using her business names in an attempt to lure away customers.

The kerfuffle began in 2019, when Surf Lodge owner Jayma Cardoso hired Hochberg at the celebrity site and thought about expanding the business with a yoga studio in Montauk called “The Sanctuary.”

As part of her job, Hochberg monitored social media for the Surf Shack, the suit states.

In 2020, Hochberg became publicly embroiled in a legal battle for allegedly refusing to pay rent on a luxury Hamptons home — and Cardoso decided to cut off all communication and dissolve an LLC she created for “The Sanctuary.”

Soon after, Cardoso allegedly discovered that Hochberg had used the name to lure major clients — including AMEX and Saks Fifth Avenue — to create a “wellness house” in Bridgehampton called the “American Express Sanctuary Wellness House.”

“Around the same time, Cardoso explained to Hochberg that Hochberg had committed fraud by illegally attempting to operate and conduct business as The Sanctuary without Cardoso’s permission or consent,” the suit states.

Hochberg allegedly continued the scam by changing her wellness house’s Instagram name to “@thesurflodgesanctuary” to trade with Cardoso’s established brand, the suit states.

The suit accuses Hochberg of violating trademark and false association laws.

Cardoso is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages, according to the lawsuit.

Hochberg did not return a request for comment Friday.