In the Feb. 11 New York Press, "Property Tales" columnist ...

b. 11 New York Press, "Property Tales" columnist Jennifer Merin criticized landlord Mark Scharfman for his company's dealings with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 32BJ. At the time, neither Mr. Scharfman nor his representatives elected to comment on the article, the facts of which remain unchallenged.

Still, in response to a request by Scharfman's legal counsel, we hereby disclose that Jennifer Merin is a tenant in one of Mr. Scharfman's buildings and has previously clashed with Scharfman in a court of law. (As of Feb. 11, there was no pending litigation between the two parties.) We stand by Merin's reporting, but regret not informing readers of her relationship with Scharfman. Scharfman, incidentally, was also named no. 38 in our 50 Most Loathsome New Yorkers 2003—an award bestowed several months before Merin came to New York Press.

To avoid future allegations of conflict of interest, we would also like to inform readers of the following:

•ÊJim Knipfel was employed by the Toho Corporation between 1982 and 1991 as a senior global analyst, translator and DVD package designer. He owns more than 40,000 shares in stock and receives a per-annum deferred compensation package of 120,000 Y (US$1096).

•ÊRuss Smith and Neil Bush co-owned a Houston-based hamburger chain in the late 70s, during which time Smith also enjoyed a "close" relationship with presidential advisor Karl Rove. Although both relationships have since terminated, Smith remains on friendly terms with Rove, sending Christmas cards and linking to his blog.

•ÊMatt Taibbi was sexually abused by Wolf Blitzer as a young orphan in Stockholm. In 1990, Taibbi testified against the CNN personality in a Swedish court. In exchange for a sealed file, Blitzer spent two weeks in prison. Taibbi receives monthly "support checks" of 1750 Swedish Kroner (US$226).

•ÊJeff Koyen is on the DEA payroll as part of a regional anti-drug campaign designed to discourage amphetamine use among teenagers. For his participation in the LBE ("Lead by Example") program, he is paid $84 each week—plus expenses.

•ÊJudy McGuire is a minority partner in an Indonesian company that manufactures bovine insemination equipment. She also operates a thriving marriage counseling practice under a nom de psychologie.

•ÊAlexander Zaitchik is an al Qaeda/CIA/AFL-CIO triple agent.

•ÊJennifer Blowdryer's column, "Up All Night," is underwritten by the government of Colombia.

•ÊNeil Swaab's father was once employed by Berenstain Enterprises Inc., the company that produces Berenstain Bears programs for PBS. That the loss of this job in the early 80s caused the Swaab family to decline into turmoil is unrelated to the artist's current work.

•ÊAdam Bulger's great grandfather, Cornelius Patton Bulger, patented the word "dude." He receives a one-cent royalty every time it appears in print.

•ÊLionel Beehner invented the pocket protector.