Court of Appeals Blocks Willets Point Development

Legislative approval would be needed in order to build retail stores, restaurants and a movie theater on Willets West parkland. The Special Willets Point District was approved by the City Council in 2008. The rezoning was controversial; area businesses and residents were concerned over the relocation of businesses, the possibility of eminent domain, and traffic congestion. As a result, a lawsuit was filed against the City by business owners and residents but was dismissed … <Read More>


Schneiderman Announces Guilty Verdict Against Harassing Brooklyn Landlord

Schneiderman announces guilty verdict for Brooklyn landlord who harassed rent-stabilized tenants. On June 20, 2017, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the guilty verdict of Brooklyn landlord Daniel Melamed on three counts of Unlawful Eviction of rent-stabilized tenants. Melamed is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2017 and could face up to one year in jail.


Attorney General Reaches $225,000 Settlement with Harassing Landlords

Schneiderman announces settlement with New York City landlord accused of harassing rent-stabilized tenants. On May 4, 2017, New York State Attorney General Eric. T. Schneiderman announced that a settlement had been reached between the State and several companies controlled by Sassan “Sami” Mahfar and Sina Mahfar. The companies owned four residential buildings on Manhattan’s Lower East Side—22 Spring Street, 102 Norfold Street, 113 Stanton Street, and 210 Rivington Street. The Attorney General alleged that the … <Read More>


Schneiderman Announces Indictment of NYC Landlord in $5 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme

A New York City landlord was indicted for mortgage fraud scheme in Lower Manhattan, stemming from tenant harassment investigation. On April 6, 2017, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the indictment of Dean Galasso, a New York City landlord. Galasso was indicted on six felony charges in relation to an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain a multi-million-dollar mortgage to finance the acquisition of a rental building. Galasso faces one count of Grand … <Read More>


Schneiderman Announces $20.9 Million in Grants for NY Land Banks

Attorney General Schneiderman announces large contribution for Land Banks statewide, nearly doubling total grants. On March 24, 2017, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced $20.9 million in new grants to acquire abandoned properties and rehabilitate them for productive use. The grants were awarded under the Land Bank Community Revitalization Initiative to 19 land banks across the State. The $20.9 million brings the total Schneiderman has invested in land banks to $57 million … <Read More>


Eric Garner’s death: No Justice, No Peace

Three years have passed since Eric Garner’s choking death at the hands of police officer Daniel Pantaleo, and the episode remains unresolved. The grand jury’s secrecy and its decision not to indict anyone, along with Comptroller Scott Stringer’s unusually swift civil settlement with the Garner Family, have left the public with insufficient answers and a sense that justice has been denied. Civil rights organizations and governmental investigators have made additional attempts to obtain information, but … <Read More>