MIDTOWN — A pro-Trump cabbie who made anti-immigrant and anti-refugee statements lost his hack license, but not for his opinions, authorities said.
Queens cab driver Mark Maehle, 57, who’s been licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) since 2010, would not lose his taxi driver's license, an administrative judge ruled, over his bigoted remarks, because they did not violate the rules against making threats toward a passenger during the March 15 evening cab ride.
His license was revoked on June 5 for racking up 13 points on his license for speeding and other traffic violations, according to the TLC.
In the case before the administrative judge, the passenger testified that Maehle said that immigrants “better understand that they better not come to America,” and referenced that his taxes he pays as a cab driver are paying for refugees and immigrants to stay safe in New York.
He also said that "the silent majority stood up in November," a reference to the presidential election.
Judge Allessandra F. Zorgniotti agreed with TLC that Maehle violated other commission rules and upheld the $1,150 fine toward him for acting against the best interest of the public and for not displaying his TLC driver’s license.
Maehle was hit with two suspensions this year. TLC commissioner Meera Joshi issued the first suspension on the belief that Maehle constitutes “a direct and substantial threat to public health or safety.” The second was in result of Maehle not paying his fines. Both suspensions were a result of the March 15 incident.
The complaint filed against Maehle wasn’t his first. He has previously pleaded guilty five times since 2013 for making similar inappropriate comments, including an incident where he made comments against Muslims, Africans, and elected officials.
The most recent fine and suspension against him has been the harshest he’s received. Judge Zorgniotti stated that the severity of this fine should be enough to deter Maehle from making similar comments and doing so may result in him losing his TLC license.
Maehle, who is a supporter of President Donald Trump, told the New York Daily News that he believes that he is a victim because of his conservative leanings.
Maehle was not immediately available for comment.
Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect the revocation of the cabbie's hack license three days before the judge's ruling.
