So, were Mr Stripes actions illegal?

[SteveMorison 408]

So you own a building, and then somebody pays rent to start up a business in that building. So you then threaten the business owner to hire your son or daughter for a job they're underqualified for. Would that be illegal in real life? if so what consequences would such a person face? Sorry if it sounds like an obvious question.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

In the world of money, anything can be legal. Stripes clearly had the money to maintain control so even if it was illegal to do, he could have it thrown under the rug anyways. Plus, he does own the building itself so what he says goes.

[SteveMorison 408]

In the world of money, anything can be legal. Stripes clearly had the money to maintain control so even if it was illegal to do, he could have it thrown under the rug anyways. Plus, he does own the building itself so what he says goes.

Remember there was a government official in the room at the time.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

Remember there was a government official in the room at the time.

Just one though. Guess it depends on the actual governmental system but if you pay enough of them off, then the opinion of one might become moot.

[Truffles 2,033]

I think it was mildly illegal, but he does own the building. This is a case of needing to know the laws better to decide, and reading too deep into it when it probably wasn't intended.

 

Also does Twilight really count as a government official? I mean we never really see her order anyone around (much/yet) or do governing duties, and when guards or others go all formal on her she basically says at ease.

 

I agree, but it also depends on what it is he's asking for. Asking his daughter to work for the shop is pretty mild; if he'd asked her for something like doing certain kinds of favors for him, I think the law would come down on him hard. 

 

As for Twilight, I always perceived her authority encompassing just Ponyville, though as a princess I'm sure she has some pull outside of her own kingdom. It depends on how much political capital she feels she can afford to spend.

 

As it is, once Rarity's shop takes off (which I'm sure it will) and if Plaid just isn't working out, I'm sure she could go to the local chamber of Commerce and file a complaint. They should be more interested in keeping a highly profitable business running than allowing a landlord to extort that business' owner.

[cmarston1 5,963]

Well, I didn't see any law officials anywhere around to object to his actions, so I guess you could say that:

Edited May 24, 2016 by cmarston1

[Gestum 2,493]

Well, I'm fairly sure that it is blackmailing. And that's illegal.

Edited May 24, 2016 by Gestum

[ManaMinori 4,149]

Blatant extortion in front of ghe Princess of Friendship?

 

Well....she didn't call him out on it, soooo....I guess not?

Edited May 24, 2016 by Nightmare Muffin

[powerpuff-tsubasa 448]

i would immediately take it as an illegal act. hiring under-knowledge people to your business can GREATLY take down the entire business line

[Cwanky 17,746]

It depends entirely upon what the age requirements for Equestria and moreover, Manehattan are. The bigger issue is the fact that Mr. Stripes threatened to arbitrarily increase Rarity's rent to an excessive amount to forcibly evict her. Barring any rent control laws Manehattan may have, that could easily qualify as retaliation on Mr. Stripe's part, when Rarity was entirely in her legal right to refuse his request.

[Grepper 3,193]

If it wasn't illegal, it should be. It's definitely unethical.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

In Manehattan's real life counterpart, commercial rent control does not exist and dirty, mob-connected dealings are very common in the real estate industry. As unfair as it is, our Russian gangster friend would have gotten away with it.

[Osiria 142]

If they have a formal rental contract, usually there're terms that restrict the increase of rental rate

But legal or not, I think it's out of Twilight's jurisdiction....

[Jeric 46,880]

Rarity would have a case, but also a PR nightmare.

 

I'm more interested in the question of whether he could actualize the threat. I assume that legal phrasing of the escalation rider is such that allows for incremental adjustments. Also commercial landlords can include crap language in build-out riders that considers fixures 'improvements' subject to rent increases. Rarity could also have a net lease that doesn't include fees and taxes. If Mr. Stripes is a significant figure in the community he may be able to lobby the local assemblypone to raise fees, apply an exemption for businesses but finding something that would disqualify Rarity (such as a city residence exemption). That alone would allow for eventual eviction due to non payment ...

 

As I said, she would still have a case as it was said with witnesses present. I don't think she wants negative publicly though.

[Shanks 10,817]

It probably is illegal, but since Rarity went along with it there is a possibility that she may not know the ins and outs of the laws regarding this and that landlord took advantage of that. Or another possibility is that Rarity did know it was illegal but also knew that since he is a fairly powerful figure in Manehattan that she decided that fighting it out in court might be a tad more expensive and time consuming to be worth it. 

[Guest]

Illegal? Yes. However does that stop it from happening? In a world with a bought Congress, bribed politicians, and a policy of "no one saw anything", absolutely not. Do you honestly believe people don't not hire someone based upon race or sex anymore?

[Rarity Is Best Pony 634]

I would say that they could be considered illegal. But without authorities around he'd most likely get away with doing it.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,825]

Since he owns the building, he has the rights to it. Sadly, I believe he was taking advantage of his rights making it hard for Rarity and her friends with his inexperienced daughter. 

[ggg-2 3,555]

I think that's a form of nepotism which, while immoral and wrong, is still legal.

[twiia 1,844]

Well it should be illegal. That kind of forcing others is sooo rude and crappy