Denver Attorney Accused Of Short-Term Rental Scheme

DENVER, CO — A Denver attorney is accused of running an illegal short-term rental business in the city, the Denver District Attorney's Office said. The charges are the latest in a crackdown on illegal short-term rentals in the city.

Aaron Caleb Elinoff, 34, is charged with one count of attempting to influence a public servant, the attorney's office said.

Denver's Municipal Code requires the owner or leaser of a short-term rental to live at the location being rented as their primary residence. Elinoff signed and submitted a notarized affidavit claiming that his primary residence is 641 Raleigh Street; however, an investigation by Denver’s Excise and Licensing found that Elinoff actually lives at 1316 Tennyson Street, prosecutors said.

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An inspector went up to Elinoff while he was gardening at the Tennyson property and asked him if he lived there, and she told him yes, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office. The inspector then asked if she could ask him a few more questions and Elinoff declined.

The inspector began contacting numerous neighbors at both locations and ultimately concluded that the Tennyson Street house, the address where Elinoff is registered to vote, is his primary residence, prosecutors said.

Elinoff's next court appearance is scheduled for July 17.

A Denver couple was also accused in June of running an illegal short-term rental business. There has been a growing push for Denver authorities to crack down on illegal Airbnbs operating in the city.